Highly cationic metal ammine complexes such as [Pt(NH3)6]4+ spontaneously convert to the amido derivative:
:[Pt(NH)]  )(NH)]  +  H
Transition metal amides are intermediates in the base-induced substitution of transition metal ammine complexes. Thus, the Sn1CB mechanism for the displacement of chloride from chloropentamminecobalt chloride by hydroxide proceeds via an amido intermediate:
:[Co(NH)Cl]  +  OH  →  [Co(NH)(NH)]  +  HO  +  Cl
:[Co(NH)NH]  +   HO  →  [Co(NH)OH]