By two different routes, 4,4 ' ' ' ' -azobis[2,2 ': 6 ' ,2 ' ' -terpyridine
] was synthesized. Its ruthenium complexes show interesting metal-to-ligand
charge transfer (MLCT) absorption maxima in the electronic spectra. They r
epresent the first ruthenium complexes of terpyridine units to give blur so
lutions.