The substitution kinetics of the complexes [Pt{4 -(o -CH 3 -Ph)-terpy} Cl]SbF 6 (CH 3 PhPtCl(Sb)), (ClPhPtCl), and [Pt{4 -(o -CF 3 -Ph)-terpy}Cl]SbF 6 (CF 3 PhPtCl), where terpy is 2,2 :6 ,2 -terpyridine, with the nucleophiles thiourea (TU), N,N -dimethylthiourea (DMTU), and N,N,N ,Ntetramethylthiourea (TMTU) were investigated in methanol as a solvent. The substitution reactions of the chloride displacement from the metal complexes by the nucleophiles were investigated as a function of nucleophile concentration and temperature under pseudo-first-order conditions using the stopped-flow technique. The reactions followed the simple rate law k obs = k 2 [Nu]. The results indicate that the introduction of substituents in the ortho position of the phenyl group on the ancillary ring of the terpy unit does influence the extent of π -backbonding in the terpy ring. This controls the electrophilicity of the platinum center, which in turn controls the lability of the chloro-leaving group. The strength of the electron-donating or -withdrawing ability of the substituents correlates with the reactivity of the complexes. Electron-donating