This submission was created using the RSC Article Template (DO NOT DELETE THIS TEXT) (LINE INCLUDED FOR SPACING ONLY -DO NOT DELETE THIS TEXT)A novel ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complex connected covalently to a bolaamphiphile, containing amide linkages to provide rigidity via hydrogen bonding in the monolayer, has been prepared. The ruthenium(II) complexes of this ligand and of the intermediates in the synthesis were prepared by modification of the coordinated ligands, demonstrating the synthetic versatility and robustness of this family of complexes. All ruthenium complexes were characterised by electrochemical and spectroscopic techniques and were found to have similar properties to the parent complex [Ru(bipy) 3 ]
2+, and remain versatile photosensitisers, with well-defined properties, despite extensive substitution of the bipy ligand.