The end-to-end aggregation of gold nano rods (GNRs) has been demonstrated to be directed by a thioacetate-containing alkynylplatinum(II) terpyridine complex. The in situ deprotected complex is preferentially attached at the ends of the gold nanorods (GNRs) and induce the aggregation of GNRs in an "end-to-end" manner by Pt center dot center dot center dot Pt and pi-pi interactions, which have been characterized by electron microscopy, energy dispersed Xray (EDX) analysis, and UV-vis absorption spectroscopy. The assembly of the nanorods into chain-like nanostructures can be controlled by the concentration of the Pt(II) complexes.