The first examples of DNA metallointercalators containing a dicarba-closo-dodecaborane(12) (carborane) moiety are presented. Treatment of the labile platinum(II) complex [Pt(OTf)(terpy)](+) (terpy = 2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine) with the 1,2-carborane monothiol derivatives 1-HS(CH(2))(n)-1,2-C(2)B(10)H(11) (n = 0, 1) or the novel 1,7-carborane ligand, 1-HSCH(2)-1,7-C(2)B(10)H(11), affords the stable, brightly colored species [Pt(1-S(CH(2))(n)-1,Z-C(2)B(10)H(11))(terpy)](+) (Z = 2, n = 0, 1; Z = 7, n = 1) in good yield and purity. Preliminary DNA-binding experiments with calf-thymus DNA indicate an intercalative interaction by the platinum(II) complexes at high r(f) values.