Violet (1) and blue (2) polymorphous modifications of [Cu(men)2Pt(CN)4]n (men=N-methyl-1,2-diaminoethane) have been prepared and investigated by IR and UV–vis spectroscopy, thermal analysis, measurement of magnetic data and X-ray structural analysis. Both modifications are formed by similar but differently packed zigzag chains, which consist of [Cu(men)2]2+ moieties bridged by two trans arranged cyanido groups of [Pt(CN)4]2− units. The Cu(II) atoms in both structures are hexacoordinated by four nitrogen atoms in the equatorial plane from two molecules of bidentate men ligands with the average Cu–N(Me) and Cu–N(H2) bond lengths of 2.046(8) and 2.008(8)Å, respectively, and by two nitrogen atoms from bridging cyanido groups in the axial positions at average distance of 2.50(7)Å. Broad nearly symmetric bands observed in the UV–vis spectra of 1 and 2 of 2B1g→2Eg transitions are consistent with a deformed octahedral coordination of the CuN6 chromophoric groups. One and two ν(CN) absorption bands observed in the IR spectra of 1 and 2, respectively, are in agreement with different local symmetries of [Pt(CN)4]2− units and different Cu–N(cyanido) bond lengths in these polymorphs and are subject of discussion on the spectral–structural correlations in 1D compounds. The complexes are stable up to 238°C when their two-stage thermal decompositions start and ending up with a mixture of CuO and metallic Pt as the most probable final thermal decomposition products. The temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibility suggests the presence of aweak antiferromagnetic exchange coupling between Cu(II) atoms in 1, J/hc=−0.17cm−1 and in 2, J/hc=−1.3cm−1.