New multifunctional ligandsbased on the combination of 4H-imidazoles with pyridinesubunits have been synthesised. The long wavelength absorptions originating fromthe merocyanine-chromophore can be shifted towards the near infrared (NIR) region by introduction of additionalauxochromic groups. Due to different complexation spheres these hybrid-ligands form the requirements for the construction of heterobimetallic