The preparation and properties of a new cyano complex containing the Ru3(μ3-O) core, [Ru3(μ3-O)(μ-CH3COO)6(py)2(CN)] (1; py = pyridine), are reported. Complex 1 in CH2Cl2 showed intense absorption bands at 244, 334, and 662 nm, corresponding to a π-π* transition of the ligand, cluster-to-ligand charge transfer, and intracluster transitions, respectively. The cyclic voltammogram of 1 in 0.1 M (n-Bu)4NPF6-CH2Cl2 showed redox waves for the processes Ru3(II,II,III)/Ru3(II,III,III), Ru3(II,III,III)/Ru3(III,III,III), and Ru3(III,III,III)/Ru3(III,III,IV) at E1/2 = -1.49, -0.26, and +1.03 V vs Ag/AgCl, respectively. The first two redox potentials are more negative by ca. 0.2 V in comparison with the corresponding potentials of [Ru3(μ3-O)(μ-CH3COO)6(py)3](+). This is in sharp contrast to the positive shifts of the corresponding waves of [Ru3(II,III,III)(μ3-O)(μ-CH3COO)6(py)2(CO)]. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations of [Ru3(II,III,III)(μ3-O)(μ-CH3COO)6(py)3], [Ru3(II,III,III)(μ3-O)(μ-CH3COO)6(py)2(CN)](-), and [Ru3(II,III,III)(μ3-O)(μ-CH3COO)6(py)2(CO)] showed that the positive charge of the ruthenium is delocalized over the triruthenium cores of the first two and is localized as Ru(II)(CO){Ru(III)(py)}2 in the CO complex. The calculations explain the difference in the π interactions of the two ligands with the triruthenium cores.