Two new luminescent ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complexes, [Ru(bpy)(2)(tpt-phen)]Cl-2 (1; bpy=2,2'-bipyridine, tpt-phen=triptycenyl-1,10-phenanthroline) and [Ru(phen)(2)(tpt-phen)]Cl-2 (2; phen=1,10-phenanthroline), have been developed as potential nonviral vectors for DNA delivery. Photophysical and electrochemical properties of the complexes have been investigated and corroborated with electronic structure calculations. DNA condensation by these complexes has been investigated by UV/Vis and emission spectroscopy, circular dichroism spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, dynamic light scattering, confocal microscopy, and electrophoretic mobility studies. These complexes interact with DNA and efficiently condense DNA into globular nanoparticles that are taken up efficiently by HeLa cells. DNA cleavage inability and biocompatibility of complexes have been explored. Both complexes have good gene transfection abilities.