The complex, Pt(bph)(COD), where bph is the biphenyl dianion and COD is 1,5-cyclooctadiene, crystallizes in the orthorhombic space groupPbca witha=12.178(4) Å,b=9.693(3) Å andc=25.344(9) Å andZ=8. The Pt−C distances to the olefinic carbon atoms that result from the π electron donation of the COD ligand are in the range 2.20(3)−2.27(3) Å and the Pt−C distances to the σ bonded bph ligand are shorter at 2.01(3)−2.03(2) Å. The lowest energy absorption of the complex is at 383 nm (ε=1.2×103). The emission spectrum is structured in fluid solution at room temperature with the emission energy maximum at 537 nm, φcm, and τ=1.93 μs. Temperature dependent emission lifetime measurements result in ak o value of 2.69×104, a preexponential factor of 2.47×106 and a ΔE1 value of 324 cm−1.