An improved method for the synthesis of the anticancer drug picoplatin is provided. Condensation of a tetrachloroplatinate salt (TCP), such as potassium tetrachloroplatinate, and 2-picoline, in a solvent, is catalyzed by the presence of oxygen, such as in air, and additionally catalyzed by the presence of a Pt+4 complex, such as potassium hexachloroplatinate. The oxygen can be introduced into the reaction mixture by sparging, optionally with high shear mixing and under an inert gas headspace. The product trichloropicolineplatinate salt (TCPP) is a key intermediate in the synthesis of picoplatin, to which it can be converted by reaction of the TCPP with ammonia.
