Bis(diimine)-ruthenium complexes constitute a class of catalysts with good activity for oxidation reactions, such as sulfoxidation and epoxidation. The synthesis and the full characterization of a new ruthenium complex bearing an original pentadentate ligand (L5pyr for 2,6-bis-(6-ethyl-2,2'-bipyridyl)-pyridine) is reported, Comparison of its activity with regard to[Ru(bpy)(2)(CH3CN)(2)](2+) and [Ru(bpy)(2)(py)(CH3CN)](2+) during alkene and sulfide oxidation allowed us to conclude that the addition of a fifth pyridine ligand in the coordination sphere improves the efficiency of the catalyst. Moreover, under these oxidation conditions a hydroxylation of the ligand L5pyr led to a better activity than analogue [Ru(bpy)(2)(py)(CH3CN)](2+), especially during epoxidation of alkenes by Phl(OAc)(2).