Refluxing the dinuclear complex [Os2(CO)6(μ-OOCtBu)2] in acetonitrile affords the substituted derivative [Os2(CO)4(μ-OOCtBu)2(NCMe)2]. Their reaction with PPh3 in a 2:1 (Os:PPh3) ratio represents a convenient route to the 64-electron, tetraosmium chain [Os4(CO)8(μ-OOCtBu)4(PPh3)2]. © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.