The properties that are characteristic of TAP (1,4,5,8-tetraazaphenanthrene) and HAT (1,4,5,8,9,12-hexaazatriphenylene) Ru II complexes under illumination are highlighted and compared with those of other metallic complexes. In particular, the photo-oxidizing power of their 3 MLCT states leads to a quenching of luminescence accompanied by a photoreaction when they are in presence of nucleic acids. The proton-