Cyclometallated platinum(II) complexes containing pyridyl-acetylide ligands: the selective influence of lead binding on luminescence

The design, synthesis, photophysical properties, and the ion-binding properties of cyclometallated platinum(II) complexes containing pyridyl-appended alkynyl ligands are described. When the pyridyl group is incorporated into an azamacro-cycle, a specific response towards lead(II) cations involves a change in the nature of the excited charge transfer state, resulting in the appearance of a low-energy absorption band and a partial quenching of luminescence.