A series of near-infrared (NIR) electrochromic and electroluminescent polymers containing the pendant dinuclear ruthenium complexes were synthesized and characterized. All the polymers are near-infrared (NIR) electrochromic, displaying an intense absorption centered at 1600 nm upon oxidation to the mixed-valence state. Single-layer diode devices comprising a layer of the complex polymers sandwiched between the ITO and Au electrodes emitted the NIR light centered at 790 nm at ambient temperature.