in supramolecular systems, the interaction between different units modulates their photophysical properties. a) For platinum(II) complexes with ligands that have extended pi systems, pi-stacking and direct metal-metal interactions result in the formation of excimers with characteristically red-shifted luminescence. Time-resolved emission spectra show clear evidence of dual luminescence. b) In phthalocyanines to which electron-donating tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) groups have been fused, the luminescence is strongly quenched by intramolecular electron transfer. The luminescence can be switched on by oxidation of the TTF groups. c) The luminescence of ruthenium tris-bipyridyl derivatives is strongly influenced by the environment. Linked to biotin, the luminescence quantum yield of such a complex is enhanced by 30 % upon binding to avidin. Furthermore, the binding to avidin induces a circular-dichroism signal from the pi-pi* transition of the initially racemic ruthenium tris-bipyridyl derivative.