The original work on PCP ligands arose from studies of the Pt(II) complexes derived from long-chain ditertiary phosphines, species of the type RP(CH)PR where n >4 and R = tert-butyl.  Platinum metalates one methylene group with release of HCl, giving species such as PtCl(RP(CH)CH(CH)PR).
Pincer complexes catalyze the dehydrogenation of alkanes.  Early reports described the dehydrogenation of cyclooctane by an Ir pincer complex with a turnover frequency of 12 min at 200 °C. The complexes are thermally stable at such temperatures for days.