Crystal structure determination on the mixed ligand complex [Ru(tpy)(L1)](ClO4)2 (tpy-2,20:60,200-terpyridine; L1-40-(ferrocenylmethylaminomethylphenyl)terpyridine) shows the ferrocenyl group to be located as remotely as possiblefrom the RuII centre. This may explain the fact that emission from the RuII centre is detectable even at room temperaturein solution.