Pt-based heterobimetallic lantern complexes of the form [PtM(SOCR)(4)(L)] have been shown previously to form intermolecular metallophilic interactions and engage in anti-ferromagnetic coupling between lanterns having M atoms with open shell configurations. In order to understand better the influence of the carboxylate bridge and terminal ligand on the electronic structure, as well as the metal-metal interactions within each lantern unit, a series of diamagnetic lantern complexes, [PtMg(SAc)(4)(OH2)] (1), [PtMg(tba)(4)(OH2)] (2), [PtCa(tba)(4)(OH2)] (3), [Pan(tba)(4)(OH2)] (4), and a mononuclear control (Ph4P)(2)[Pt(SAc)(4)] (5) have been synthesized. Crystallographic data show dose Pt-M contacts enforced by the lantern structure in each dinudear case. 19813t-NMR spectroscopy of 1-4, (Ph4P)(2)[Pt(SAc)(4)] (5), and several previously reported lanterns revealed a strong chemical shift dependence on the identity of the second metal (M), mild influence by the thiocarboxylate ligand (SOCR; R = CH3 (thioacetate, SAc), C6H5 (thiobenzoate, tba)), and modest influence from the terminal ligand (L). Fluorescence spectroscopy has provided evidence for a Pt center dot center dot center dot Zn metallophilic interaction in [PtZn(SAc)(4)(OH2)], and computational studies demonstrate significant dative character. In all of 1-4, the short Pt M distances suggest that metal-only Lewis donor (Pt)-Lewis acceptor (M) interactions could be present. DFT and NBO calculations, however, show that only the Zn examples have appreciable covalent character, whereas the Mg and Ca complexes are much more ionic.