The end-to-end aggregation of gold nanorods (GNRs) has been demonstrated to be directed by a thioacetate-containing alkynylplatinum(II) terpyridine complex. The in situ deprotected complex is preferentially attached at the ends of the gold nanorods (GNRs) and induce the aggregation of GNRs in an "end-to-end" manner by Pt···Pt and π-π interactions, which have been characterized by electron microscopy, energy dispersed X-ray (EDX) analysis, and UV-vis absorption spectroscopy. The assembly of the nanorods into chain-like nanostructures can be controlled by the concentration of the Pt(II) complexes.

A number of ruthenium(II) and rhenium(I) bipyridine complexes functionalized with lipoic acid moieties have been synthesized and characterized. Functionalization of gold nanoparticles with these chromophoric ruthenium(II) and rhenium(I) complexes has resulted in interesting supramolecular assemblies with Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) properties that could be modulated via esterase hydrolysis. The luminescence of the metal complex chromophores was turned on upon cleavage of the ester bond linkage by esterase to reduce the efficiency of FRET quenching. The prepared nanoassembly conjugates have been characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), dynamic light scattering (DLS), UV-visible spectroscopy, and emission spectroscopy. The quenching mechanism has also been studied by transient absorption and time-resolved emission decay measurements. The FRET efficiencies were found to vary with the nature of the chromophores and the length of the spacer between the donor (transition metal complexes) and the acceptor (gold nanoparticles).