Stepwise Vapochromism Observed for a Simple Terpyridine-Platinum(II) Complex with a Thiocyanato Ligand

A simple Pt-II-terpyridine complex [Pt(NCS)(tpy)](SCN) (tpy = 2,2': 6', 2 ''-terpyridine) shows distinct two-step vapochromism from red to yellow through dark red in response to methanol vapor. The adsorption isotherm for methanol vapor reveals that the two-step vapochromic behavior originates from breathing-like structural transformations.