Potassium aminetrichloroplatinate(II) is a platinum(II) complex primarily used as an intermediate in the synthesis of platinum-based anticancer drugs, such as cisplatin. These chemotherapy agents work by binding to DNA in cancer cells, interfering with replication and transcription to inhibit tumor growth. It is also employed as a precursor for platinum catalysts in organic reactions like hydrogenation and oxidation, and in research to investigate the coordination chemistry and biological interactions of platinum compounds.