There is ongoing interest in the development of photochemical strategies for delivery of NO to biological targets.  Ruthenium nitrosyl complexes undergo NO dissociation when irradiated with UV light.  After NO release from [Ru(salen)(NO)(H₂O)]⁺ the photoproduct, [Ru^III(salen)(H₂O)₂]⁺ can be converted back to the parent complex in the presence of nitrite.  Our studies are concerned with understanding quantitatively the photochemical process as well as the interaction between ruthenium(III) and nitrite in the context of possible applications using endogenous nitrite to regenerate the NO precursor complex.  Reported is further characterization of [Ru(salen)(NO)(H₂O)]⁺ including pK_a, quantum yields, and electrochemical studies and the synthesis and characterization of a stable ruthenium(III) nitro species, [Ru(salen-x)(PPh₃)(NO₂)].  For example, the reaction of [Ru(salen)(PPh₃)(Cl)] and AgNO₂ with NBu₄OH as a phase transfer agent gave a ruthenium nitro complex.  This reaction also resulted in nitration of the salen rings.  Salen nitration was not observed in the absence of Ag(I).  Possible mechanisms regarding this ring nitration are discussed.