Photoactive building blocks for coordination complexes: Gilding 2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine

► 2,2′:6′,2″-Terpyridine functionalized with photoactive substituents. ► Crystal structures of three gold(I) derivatives of 4′-ethynyl-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine. ► Photophysical properties of three gold(I) derivatives of 4′-ethynyl-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine.