Contrasted photochromic and luminescent properties in dinuclear Pt(ii) complexes linked through a central dithienylethene unit.

We disclose two unprecedented complexes built with a central dithienylethene photochrome connecting two cyclometalated Pt(ii) moieties either on the reactive carbon atoms or on the lateral non-reactive carbon atoms of the photochrome. The two systems show vastly different properties that are rationalised thanks to quantum-chemical calculations.