The syntheses and properties of two novel [Ru(bpy) 2 (L−LЈ)] n+ complexes with L−LЈ = 3-carboxy-5-(pyrid-2Ј-yl)-1,2,4-triazole (H 2 cpt) or 3-(ethoxycarbonyl)-5-(pyrid-2Ј-yl)-1,2,4-triazole (Hcept) ligands are described. Previous publications on Ru II complexes containing (pyrid-2Ј-yl)-1,2,4-triazoles revealed that their coordination is possible via N1 and N4 of the triazole ring. 1 H NMR spectroscopic data and the crystal structure of [Ru(bpy) 2 (cept)]PF 6 ·H 2 O (2) indicate that the coordination of the Hcpt − and cept − occurs via N1 of the triazole ring. The crystals of 2 are monoclinic and belong to the space group P2 1 /n with a = 12.339(7), b = 16.512 (7), c = 16.802(8) Å , β = 110.29(4)°, and Z = 4. A water molecule is hydrogen-bonded to the carbonyl oxygen atom of the