Osmium complexes having the formula [Os(II) (N--N).sub.2L--L].sup.2+
2A.sup.- (or A.sup.2-), or [Os(II) N--N(L--L).sub.2].sup.2+ 2A.sup.- (or
A.sup.2-), where N--N is a bipyridine or phenanthroline ligand, L--L is a
.pi.-acid bidentate ligand, and A is counter ion.