A new class of triarylpyridinio-derivatized [4'-(p-phenyl)(n)]terpyridyl ligands, R(1)(2)R(2)TP(+)-(p)(n)tpy, was designed as a novel category of electron-acceptor (A)-substituted proto-photosensitizing molecules. The first elements of this versatile family of ligands (i.e., n = 0, 1 and R(1) = R(2) = H), H(3)TP(+)-tpy and H(3)TP(+)-ptpy, were synthesized as well as their Ru(II) and Os(II) complexes to form the related acceptor-functionalized M(tpy)(2)(2+) and M(ptpy)(2)(2+) photosensitizer components denoted P0 and P1, respectively. Within the P1 series of compounds, an electron-donor (D)-substituted ligand, Me(2)N-ptpy, was also involved and associated with H(3)TP(+)-ptpy, giving rise to various combinations (up to 10 polyad systems). The two resulting series of nanometer-scale rigid rod-like photosensitized supramolecular architectures are of potential interest for long-range photoinduced electron transfer purposes. The main structural features of such supermolecules were determined by comparing the results obtained from (i) single-crystal X-ray analysis of the two free ligands together with that of the P0A/Ru and P1A(2)/Ru complexes and (ii) a detailed solution (1)H NMR study of the P0 series and, more specifically, of the P0A/Ru dyad (ROESY experiment). It is shown that the pseudoperpendicular conformation of the covalently linked A and P subunits found in the solid state is persistent in fluid medium; i.e., A is not conjugated with P (P0 and P1). The first insights regarding the consequences upon intercomponent couplings of combined substituent effects and conjugation (case of D-based polyads)-or absence of conjugation-are discussed in the light of ground-state electronic properties of the compounds.