| Complex | Absorption maximum (nm) | Emission maximum, (nm) | Life time τ (ns) | |||
| aq | CTAB | aq | CTAB | aq | CTAB | |
| [Ru(bpy)3]2+ | 448 | 452 | 596 | 594 | 650 | 387 |
| [Ru(dmbpy)3]2+ | 458 | 459 | 605 | 606 | 360 | 250 |
| [Ru(dtbpy)3]2+ | 457 | 468 | 625 | 617 | 510 | 290 |