The semiconductors [Pt(NH(2)dmoc)(4)][PtCl4], where dmoc denotes (S)-3,7-dimethyloctyl, and [Pt(NH(2)eh)(4)][PtCl4], where eh is (R)-2-ethylhexyl, are soluble quasi-one-dimensional compounds with a backbone of linearly arranged platinum atoms. Uniaxially oriented films of those metal complexes of approximately 0.1 mum thickness were deposited from solution on quartz glass slides covered with a friction-deposited orientation layer of approximately 40 nm poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE). UV/vis spectra recorded with polarized light as well as electron diffraction patterns of [Pt(NH(2)dmoc)(4)] [PtCl4] indicated that the films were highly ordered, the platinum arrays oriented parallel to the orientation direction of the PTFE molecules. As a consequence, the films exhibited a pronounced anisotropy, among other characteristics, in the electric conductivity, which is of potential use in electronic devices. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.