Cu/Ag(I)　were　introduced　into　iodoplumbate　systems　to　produce　two　new　heterometallic　iodoplumbates　with　viologen　as　templates,　i.e.　(PV)2(Pb2Cu2I10)　(1)　and　[(BV)(Pb2AgI7)]n　(2)　(PV2+ = propyl　viologen,　BV2+ = benzyl　viologen),　in　which　the　common　connection　of　PbI6　units　have　been　remarkably　altered.　In　(PV)2(Pb2Cu2I10)　(1),　two　PbI6　octahedra　are　bridged　by　two　CuI4　tetrahedra　via　face-sharing　to　give　a　(Pb2Cu2I10)4−　cluster,　but　the　ternary　one-dimensional　polymeric　(Pb2AgI7)n　2n−　of　[(BV)(Pb2AgI7)]n　(2)　is　assembled　from　edge-sharing　AgI4　tetrahedra　and　PbI6　octahedra.　Their　optical　band　gaps　and　fluorescence　were　also　discussed.　The　absorption　edges　of　haloplumbates　could　be　engineered　by　introduction　of　suitable　conjugated　molecules　as　templates.　©　2016　Informa　UK　Limited,　trading　as　Taylor　&　Francis　Group.