The synthesis, photophysics, electronic structure, and electrochemical characterization of 4′-tert-butylacetylene-2, 2′: 6′, 2 ″-terpyridineplatinum (II) chloride (1), 4′- phenylacetylene-2, 2′: 6′, 2 ″-terpyridineplatinum (II) chloride (2), and their ZnII analogs are described. The PtII complexes display interesting photophysical properties, showing vibronically resolved emission spectra at room temperature in CH2Cl2, resembling a ...