Supramolecular assembly of a phosphole-based moiety into nanostructures dictated by alkynylplatinum(ii) terpyridine complexes through non-covalent Pt···Pt and π–π stacking interactions: synthesis, characterization, photophysics and self-assembly behaviors† †Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available. CCDC 1506200. For ESI and crystallographic data in CIF or other electronic format see DOI: 10.1039/c7sc00041c Click here for additional data file. Click here for additional data file.

A new class of platinum(II) terpyridine complexes with a phosphole-derived bridging alkynyl ligand have been prepared. The X-ray crystal structure of complex 2 has been determined, and reveals a polymeric zig-zag chain structure with the existence of p–p stacking interactions. The photophysical properties have also been studied, with MLCT/LLCT phosphorescence exhibited in degassed CH2Cl2; the energy of which is varied by the p-conjugation of the terpyridine ligands. The solvent-induced assembly of complex 1 has been studied. The incorporation of hydrophobic hydrocarbon chains has been shown to play an important role in assisting the formation of self-assembled nanostructures via Pt/Pt, p–p stacking and hydrophobic–hydrophobic interactions. It has been established that an isodesmic growth mechanism operates in polar media to give nanospheres, while fibrous networks originate from the selfassembly of the complexes in non-polar media, predominantly driven by p–p stacking interactions.