TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The transition metal ion is ruthenium ions, osmium ions or iron ions. The transition metal is ruthenium, osmium, or iron, preferably ruthenium. The photoactive layer further comprises interconnected metal oxide nanoparticles associated with the compound.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preparation (Disclosed): The dye compound is prepared by heating a mixture of carboxylate-containing compound in dimethyl formamide and halogenated transition metal in dimethyl formamide; adding aqueous ammonium thiocyanate; refluxing the mixture under argon without exposing to light; removing the dimethyl formamide by evaporation; suspending formed solid in an alcohol; and concentrating and precipitating to obtain crude dye, which when purified provides the dye compound. Preferred Compound: The compound further comprises a counterion, preferably tetrabutyl ammonium ion (Bu4N+). Preferred Components: The ligand-containing complex is of formula (Ic). Preferred Definition:    R6=alkenylaryl, akynylaryl, heteroaryl, alkenylheteroaryl or alkynylheteroaryl, preferably radical of formula (a) or (b);    X=isothiocyanate;    Y'=unsubstituted 1,10-phenanthroline or unsubstituted 2,2'-bipyridine;    R3, R9=alkenylaryl, alkynylaryl, heteroaryl, alkenylheteroaryl or alkynylheteroaryl, preferably one or more of 5 formulae, e.g. formula (c);    n, m=1, 2 or 3; and    R=COOH or PO3H.    EXAMPLE - A solution of ethyl-5'-(2':6',2")terpyridin-4'-yl(2,2')bithiophenyl-5-carboxylate (177 mg) in dimethyl formamide (DMF) was added to hydrated ruthenium chloride (110 mg) in DMF (25 ml) under argon. The mixture was heated to 120 degrees C with stirring for 2.5 hours, added with a solution of ammonium thiocyanate (1 g) in water (5 ml), and refluxed with stirring under argon for 5 hours without exposing to light. The DMF was removed through evaporation, and water (30 ml) was added. The solid obtained was washed with water, suspended in methanol, and added with tetrabutyl ammonium hydroxide. The formed mixture was filtered and concentrated to form a precipitate which gives crude dye (366 mg, 95%). The crude dye (100 mg) was added to methanol (1 ml), and 1 M tetrabutyl ammonium hydroxide (200 mu l) in methanol. The product band was collected, concentrated, filtered, washed, and dried to give pure dye compound (68 mg).