Square-planar metal(II) complexes containing ester functionalised bis(phosphino)amines: Mild P−N methanolysis and Carene−H cyclometallation

► One-step synthesis of new ester functionalised bis(phosphino)amines. ► A study of their ligating potential towards PdII and PtII square-planar metal centres. ► Structures verified in solution using NMR (1H, 31P) spectroscopy. ► Single crystal X-ray crystallography confirmed solid state structures in six cases. ► P−N and Carene−H bond cleavage occur under mild conditions in MeOH.