The complex Re(III)(benzil)(PPh(3))Cl(3) (2) is used to synthesize a variety of Re(III) and Re(II) polypyridyl complexes of the type cis-[Re(III)(L(2))(2)Cl(2)](+), [Re(II)(L(2))(3)](2+), Re(III)(L(3))Cl(3), [Re(III)(L(3))(2)Cl](2+), and [Re(III)(L(4))Cl(2)](+), where L(2) = bpy (3and 6), tbpy (4 and 7), phen (5 and 8); L(3) = terpy (9and 10); L(4) = TMPA (11). The complex cis-[Re(III)(bpy)(2)Cl(2)](+) (3) is a useful synthon in the formation of complexes of the type [Re(bpy)(2)L(x)()](n)()(+) that are six- or seven-coordinate Re(III) complexes (13, 16, and 18) or octahedral Re(II) or Re(I) complexes (12 and 17). The [Re(III)(terpy)(2)Cl](2+) (10) complex can be reduced to form the Re(I) complex, [Re(I)(terpy)(2)](+) (21) and then electrochemically reoxidized to form new complexes of the type [Re(III)(terpy)(2)L](n)()(+). Similar behavior is observed for the [Re(II)(bpy)(3)](2+) (6) complex where [Re(III)(bpy)(3)((t)BuNC)](3+) (20) and [Re(I)(bpy)(3)](+) (19) may be formed. The electrochemistry of these complexes is discussed in relation to their reactivity and the observed pi-acidity of the polypyridyl ligands. In addition, X-ray crystal structures for cis-[Re(III)(bpy)(2)Cl(2)]PF(6) (3) and [Re(I)(bpy)(3)]PF(6) (19) are reported. cis-[Re(III)(bpy)(2)Cl(2)]PF(6) (3, ReC(20)H(16)N(4)Cl(2)F(6)P) crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c with Z = 4 and lattice parameters a = 15.043(5) Å, b = 13.261(4) Å, c = 12.440(4) Å, and beta = 108.86(2) degrees at -100 degrees C. [Re(I)(bpy)(3)]PF(6) (19, ReC(30)H(24)N(6)F(6)P) crystallizes in the rhombohedral space group R&thremacr;c(h) (No. 167) with Z = 12 and lattice parameters a = 13.793(3) Å and c = 51.44(3) Å at -100 degrees C.