The versatile new ligand precursor 1/3-(PPr2)-Pr-i-2-(SBu)-Bu-t-indene has been employed in the preparation of neutral and cationic (kappa(2)-P,S)Pt(benzyl) complexes, as well as structurally related zwitterions in which the formally cationic metal fragment is counterbalanced by an uncoordinated indenide or borate fragment that is contained within the ancillary ligand backbone.