Six combinations of oxidation states are conceivable for the paramagnetic title complex. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction, spectroscopic analysis (IR, EPR at conventional and high frequency), and DFT calculations establish that it is the iminosemiquinone radical structure that is formed: [Ru(k)(NO(m))(Q(n))(terpy)](2+) (k = 2+, m = 1+, n = 1-).