The preparation and oxidation of the anticancer drug AMD473, cis-[PtCl2(NH3)(2-pic)] (2-pic = 2-methylpyridine), has been investigated. cis-[PtCl2(NH3)(2-pic)] is readily oxidized with peroxide to give the trans-dihydroxoplatinum-(IV) complex cis, trans, cis-[PtCl2(OH)(2)(NH3)(2-pic)]. The crystal structure of this complex reveals that it is highly strained as a result of a steric clash between the methyl group of the 2-picoline ligand and an axial hydroxo ligand, with the Pt - N - C angle adjacent to this clash opened up to an unprecedented 138.6(6)degrees. Attempts at converting the dihydroxoplatinum(IV) complex to dichloro and diacetato analogues were unsuccessful with reaction with HCl leading to loss and protonation of the 2-picoline ligand to form the salt (2-picH)[PtCl5(NH3)] and the platinum(II) complex cis-[PtCl2(NH3)(2-pic)], both confirmed by crystallography. Electrochemical studies revealed that cis, trans,cis-[PtCl2(OH)(2)(NH3)(2-pic)] is reduced more readily (-714 mV vs Ag/AgCl) than its pyridine analogue cis, trans,cis-[PtCl2(OH)(2)(NH3)(pyridine)] (-770 mV vs Ag/AgCl) consistent with the steric clash in the former complex destabilizing the platinum(IV) oxidation state.