Tetrametallic complexes constructed around the metal core Ru(dpp){sub 3}{sup 2+} (where dpp = 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine) have been prepared and characterized. The complexes, which have the general formula Ru((dpp)ML{sub 2}){sub 3}{sup n+}, where ML{sub 2} = Ru{sup II}(bpy){sub 2} (n = 8), Ru{sup II}(phen){sub 2} (n = 8), and Ru{sup II}(tpy)Cl (n = 5) and bpy = 2,2{prime}-bipyridine, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, and tpy = 2,2{prime}:6{prime},2{double prime}-terpyridine, are prepared from the reaction of Ru(dpp){sub 3}{sup 2+} with ML{sub 2}Cl{sub 2} in ethanol/water. The tetrametallic complexes luminesce at room temperature in acetonitrile with emissions characteristic of a single ruthenium center with excited-state lifetimes in the 100-ns range. Electrochemically, the most facile reductions occur at the dpp ligand, and the lower energy oxidation is a single peak associated with the three peripheral ruthenium centers. 13 refs., 1 fig., 2 tabs.