By changing the Ru-source, the reaction conditions, and the workup/purification procedure, the batchwise synthesis of a mixed [Ru II (bathophenanthroline)] complex, i.e., of 4b, could substantially be improved (bathophenanthroline ¼ 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline). In addition, we were able to adapt both steps of the synthesis to a microreactor system leading to the desired Ru-complex in a continuous preparation in very high yields. The latter approach is especially suited for an envisaged scale-up.Introduction. -Chelate complexes of the lanthanides Eu and Tb are routinely applied to fluorescent labelling of biomolecules. Their main advantage is represented by the strong fluorescence and excited-state lifetimes up to milliseconds, which allow for time-resolved measurements with high sensitivity [1] [2].Some time ago, we have established [Ru II (bathophenanthroline)] complexes as interesting alternatives (bathophenanthroline ¼ 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline). They show excellent chemical and thermodynamic stability, and the relatively long decay time for their luminescence in the microsecond range also allow highly sensitive time-resolved measurements [3]. Meanwhile, we have applied these complexes in combination with suitable donor or acceptor chromophores to robust fluorescenceresonance-energy-transfer (FRET) systems either in peptides or DNA fragments [4]. Their covalent coupling to biomolecules like peptides, proteins, or amino-modified DNA requires mixed Ru-complexes consisting of ligands carrying sulfonate groups to mediate solubility in aqueous systems, but most importantly also a single functionality like a carboxy function for the specific covalent attachment to the aforementioned biomolecules via a stable amide bond.