Delivery agents which can carry the {Ru(NO)} e chromophore (" caged (5) with the {Ru(NO)} e moiety bound to (2-pyridylmethyl)iminodiacetate (pida) is also characterized as a potential "caged NO" carrier. Structural information concerning the placement of the pyridyl donor groups relative to the {Ru(NO)} e unit has been obtained from H and C NMR and infrared methods, noting that a pyridyl donor trans to NO causes "trans strengthening" of this ligand for [Ru(NO)Cl(pida)], whereas placement of pyridyl groups cis to NO causes a weakening of the N-O bond and a lower NO stretching frequency in the dpa-based complexes.