Astaxanthin (AXT) is a natural carotenoid which provides colorations to numerous living species such as salmon. Owing to its chelate function deprotonated astaxanthin (axt − ) should be easily attached to metal ions. The complex Rh III (phpy) 2 (axt) with phpy − = deprotonated 2-phenylpyridine was prepared, and its electronic spectra and photochemistry were examined and compared to that of free AXT. Although different in detail, the spectra and photochemistry of AXT and R
