Transition metal dithiophosphate complexes are coordination compounds containing dithiophosphate ligands, i.e. ligands of the formula (RO)2PS. The homoleptic complexes have formulas M[S<sub>2</sub>P(OR)<sub>2</sub>]2 and M[S<sub>2</sub>P(OR)<sub>2</sub>]3. These neutral complexes tend to be soluble in organic solvents, especially when R is branched.
Perhaps the most important members are zinc dialkyldithiophosphates, which are oil additives. Such compounds are prepared by the reaction of dialkoxydithiophoric acid with metal oxides, chlorides, and acetates.[1]