The photophysical properties of the title compound have been studied by fs and ns transient absorption spectroscopy. The electronic absorption spectrum consists of three principle absorptions assigned to terpy (LLCT)-L-1 at similar to 300 nm, ruthenium (II) t (2g) (6) to terpy (MLCT)-M-1 at similar to 470 nm and Mo-2 delta to terpycarboxylate at similar to 670 nm. The compound shows weak room temperature emission in THF solution at similar to 1,100 nm when excited into each of the aforementioned bands. This emission is assigned to the T-1 state, (MM)-M-3 delta delta*. Transient absorption spectroscopy indicates a lifetime for T-1 of 9.6 mu s.