Synthesis and electrochemical and spectroscopic characterization of a 2:1 homoleptic Ru(II) complex, [Ru(TAT)(2)](2+) (TAT = 4'-(2,2':5',2 ''-terthien-3'-ethynyl)-2,2':6',2 ''-terpyridine), are here reported. The complex has been used as starting material to originate the relevant metallopolymer poly[Ru(TAT)(2)], deriving from the anodic electropolymerization on the terthiophene moiety. The metallopolymer has been characterized by electrochemical and spectroscopic techniques, comparing it to the corresponding conducting polymer poly(TAT). Furthermore, [Ru(TAT)(2)](2+) revealed the unexpected behaviour to cathodically polymerize. Such metallopolymer has been electrochemically and optically characterized, and its behaviour was compared to the metallopolymer originated by anodic polymerization. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.