Abstract: A metal complex having a &bgr;-diketonate represented by the following formula (1): wherein M represents a metal atom of the VIII group, R1, R2 and R3 represent a group or an atom selected from the group consisting of an alkyl group, an aryl group, a hydroxyl group, an amino group, an alkoxy group, a hydrogen atom and a halogen atom; X−1 represents an ion selected from a halogen, nitric acid, sulfonic acid, fluoroboric acid, fluorophosphoric acid, or perchloric acid ion; L1 or L2 represents a 2,2′-bipyridine or 1,10-phenanthroline group where these groups may be substituted with a group or an atom selected from an alkyl group, a carboxyl group, a sulfonic acid group, a phosphonic acid group, a hydroxyl group, an amino group, a hydrogen atom and a halogen atom. A photoelectric conversion element and a photochemical cell using the above-mentioned metal complex.

Abstract: A ruthenium complex represented by the following formula: RuL1L2X wherein L1 represents a 2,2′;6′,2″-terpyridine compound having at least one group selected from a carboxyl group, a salt of a carboxyl group, a sulfonic acid group, a salt of a sulfonic acid group, a phosphoric acid group and a salt of a phosphoric acid group, L2 represents a diketonate ligand represented by the following formula: wherein R1 and R2 are independently selected from alkyl, alkoxyalkyl, aminoalkyl, perfluoroalkyl and aryl, R3 represents a hydrogen atom, alkyl, alkoxyalkyl, aminoalkyl, perfluoroalkyl and aryl and X represents a monodentate ligand selected from a halide, a cyano group, a thiocyano group and a thiolate. A dye-sensitized oxide semiconductor electrode includes an electrically conductive body, an oxide semiconductor film provided on a surface of the electrically conductive body, and the above metal complex.

Abstract: A ruthenium complex represented by the following formula:

Abstract: A metal complex having a &bgr;-diketonate represented by the following formula (1): 1

Abstract: A platinum complex represented by the formula PtL1/L2 or PtLX1/LX2 wherein L1 and L each represent a ligand selected from the group consisting of 2,2′-bipyridine compounds having at least one anionic group and 1,10-phenanthroline compounds having at least one anionic group, L2 represents a dithiolate selected from those represented by the formulas (a) through (d) shown in the specification, and X1 and X2 each represent a thiolate selected from those represented by the following formulas (e) and (f) shown in the specification. A dye-sensitized electrode includes a substrate having an electrically conductive surface, an oxide semiconductor film formed on the conductive surface, and the above platinum complex supported on the film. A solar cell includes the above electrode, a counter electrode, and an electrolyte disposed therebetween.