A series of ruthenium (III) complexes [RuX (EPh3) 2L](where X= Cl or Br; E= P or As; L= deprotonated dibasic tridentate ligand) were prepared by the reaction of [RuX3 (EPh3) 3] with Schiff bases (H2L1–H2L4). The ligands were prepared by the condensation of N-4