Here, we describe
the neutral cyclometalated
tert-
butylisocyanide Pt
II
complexes, [Pt(C
∧
N)Cl(CNBu
t
)]
1
, the double
salts [Pt(C
∧
N)(CNBu
t
)
2
][Pt(C
∧
N)Cl
2
]
2
, and the cationic complexes [Pt(C
∧
N)(CNBu
t
)
2
]ClO
4
3
[C∧N = difluorophenylpyridine (dfppy,
a
), 4-(2-pyridyl)benzaldehyde
(ppy-CHO,
b
)]. A comparative study of the pseudopolymorphs
1a
,
1a·CHCl
3
,
1b
,
1b·0.5Toluene
,
1b·0.5PhF
, and
3a·0.25CH
2
Cl
2
reveals strong aggregation through Pt···Pt
and/or π···π stacking interactions to give
a variety of distinctive one-dimensional (1D) infinite chains, which
modulate the photoluminescent properties. This intermolecular long-range
aggregate formation is the main origin of the photoluminescent behavior
of
1a
and
1b
complexes, which exhibit highly
sensitive and reversible responses to multiple external stimuli including
different volatile organic compounds (VOCs), solvents, temperatures,
and pressures, with distinct color and phosphorescent color switching
from green to red. Furthermore, complex
1b
undergoes
supramolecular self-assembly
via
Pt···Pt
and/or π···π interactions into a polymer
thin polystyrene (PS) film 10 wt % in response to toluene vapors,
and
3a
exhibits vapochromic and vapoluminescent behavior.
Theoretical simulations on the dimer, trimer, and tetramer models
of
1a
and
1b
have been carried out to get
insight into the photophysical properties in the aggregated solid
state.