The formation of new C-C bonds by metal complexes always stimulates great interest because these fundamental reaction types possess numerous potential applications in organic synthesis. These reactions are well documented for a variety of transition metal complexes. Herein we report synthesis and characterization of a series of platinum-dialkyl complexes (1-10) of the type [Pt(L2)R2], (where L2 = dppp (1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane or L = PPh3; R = n-butyl to n-nonyl) with a view to understand the organic product distribution patterns on thermolysis. The single crystal X-ray structures of the complexes [Pt(dppp){CH2(CH2)3CH3}2] (1) and [Pt(dppp){CH2(CH2)6CH3}2] (7) are reported. Thermal decomposition studies of these complexes show interesting behaviour; the longer chain dialkyls i.e. C7-C9 complexes undergo reductive elimination whereas the shorter chain dialkyl complexes and C3-C6 prefer only the β-hydride elimination reaction. Possible mechanistic aspects are discussed. Theoretical calculations reveal the strongest delocalizations in both complexes involve the interaction of Pt-C bond pair electron density with the trans positioned Pt-P antibonding orbital and vice-versa. © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.