A cyclometalated bisruthenium complex bridged by the 2,7-bisdeprotonated form of 1,3,6,8-tetra(pyridin-2-yl)-9-butyl-9H-carbazole displays appreciably enhanced electronic coupling relative to that with the 5,5′-bisdeprotonated form of 3,3′,5,5′-tetra(pyridin-2-yl)-biphenyl as the bridge.