Coarse and fine tuning of the electronic energies of triimineplatinum(II) square-planar complexes.

[Pt(tbtrpy)X]Y complexes (tbtrpy = 4,4',4' '-tBu3-2,2';6',2' '-terpyridine) exhibit charge-transfer absorption bands that can be drastically red-shifted to long-wavelength visible absorptions with arylthiolates as X. Further extension to the near-IR (NIR) region is achieved with 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ-) as Y-, resulting in black absorbers with continuous UV-vis-NIR absorptions and opening up potential applications in energy research.