A trio of Pt-based heterobimetallic lantern complexes of the form [(py)PtM(SAc)(4)(py)] (M = Co, 1; Ni, 2; Zn, 3) with unusual octahedral coordination of Pt(II) was prepared from a reaction of [PtM(SAc)(4)] with excess pyridine. These dipyridine lantern complexes could be converted to monopyridine derivatives with gentle heat to give the series [PtM(SAc)(4)(py)] (M = Co, 4; Ni, 5; Zn, 6). An additional family of the form [PtM(SAc)(4)(pyNH(2))] (M = Co, 7; Ni, 8; Zn, 9) was synthesized from reaction of [PtM(SAc)(4)(OH2)] or [PtM(SAc)(4)] with 4-aminopyridine. Dimethylsulfoxide and N,N-dimethylformamide were also determined to react with [PtM(SAc)(4)] (M = Co, Ni), respectively, to give [PtCo(SAc)(4)(DMSO)](DMSO), 10, and [PtNi(SAc)(4)(DMF)] (DMF), 11. Structural and magnetic data for these compounds and those for two other previously published families, [PtM(tba)(4)(OH2)] and [PtM(SAc)(4)(L)], L = OH2, pyNO(2), are used to divide the structures among three distinct categories based on Pt center dot center dot center dot Pt and Pt center dot center dot center dot S distances. In general, the weaker donors H2O and pyNO(2) seem to favor metallophilicity and antiferromagnetic coupling between 3d metal centers. When Pt center dot center dot center dot S interactions are favored over Pt center dot center dot center dot Pt ones, no coupling is observed and the pK(a) of the pyridine donor correlates with the interlantern S center dot center dot center dot S distance. UV-vis-NIR electronic and H-1 NMR spectra provide complementary characterization as well.