A novel ruthenium polypyridyl dyad has been prepared. In this compound the electron donor phenothiazine is covalently bound to the Ru(bpy)2 center (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridyl) through a negatively charged 1,2,4-triazolate ring. In a flash-quench experiment employing methyl viologen as acceptor, electron transfer across the triazolate bridge is observed.