A series of pyridine- and bipyridine-containing leucotriarylmethane ligands has been successfully synthesised and incorporated into tricarbonyl rhenium(I) diimine complexes. The X-ray crystal structures of two of the complexes have also been determined. The photoreactivity, photophysical and electrochemical properties of these ligands and their rhenium complexes were investigated. The photo-ionisation of the leucotriarylmethanes in the free ligands and their metal complexes and the subsequent change in absorption properties were also studied. Additionally, the electrochemistry of these ligands and complexes were investigated.