A novel luminescent Zn(2+) ions chemosensor, a cyclometalated platinum(II) bipyridyl acetylide complex, was designed. Of particular significance is that it shows a high sensitivity towards Zn(2+) ions without interference from other biologically important cations in acetonitrile. The tautomerization of amide favors detecting Zn(2+) ions among other HTM (heavy and transition metal) ions in aqueous systems.