4,4'-Di(p-methylphenyl)-2,2'-bipyridine was conveniently synthesized from 2-bromopyridine through halogen-dance reaction, selective Kharash coupling and homo coupling of 2-bromopyridine derivative. Its corresponding ruthenium complex: cis-N,N-4,4'-di(p-methylphenyl)-2,2'-bipyridine-N,N-4,4'-dicarboxy-2,2'-bipyrine-N,N-dithiocyanato ruthenium(II) (dye-1) was also obtained and characterized by element analysis, MALDI-TOF MS and H NMR spectra. Compared with cis-N,N-2,2'-bipyridine-N,N-4,4'-dicarboxy-2,2'-bipyridine-N,N-dithiocyanato ruthenium(II), dye-1 displayed red-shifted MLCT absorptions and enhanced molar extinction coefficients for its rigid pi-conjugation. As a result, dye-1 sensitized nanocrystalline TiO2 electrode gave higher short circuit photocurrent density of 12.6 mA cm(-2) and overall photo-to-electric conversion efficiency of 5.5% (AM 1.5, 75 mW cm(-2)). (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.