Abstract Three heterotetranuclear complexes [{Ru II (bpy) 2 (LL n)} 3 Fe II] 8+{bpy= 2, 2'- bipyridine, n= 2, 4, 6; denoted [{Ru (LL n)} 3 Fe] 8+}, in which one iron centre is complexed by three Ru II-tris-bipyridine-like moieties containing covalently bridging bis-bipyridine LL n ligands, have been synthesised and characterised. The stability and the electrochemical, photophysical and photochemical properties of these complexes have been investigated ...