A series of ruthenium(III)2-(aminofluoreneazo)phenolate complexes with general formula [RuCl(PPh3)2(L1-5)] (1–5) (L = 2-(aminofluoreneazo)phenolate ligands) have been synthesized. The characterization of the synthesized complexes was accomplished by elemental analysis, spectroscopic (FT-IR, UV–Vis, Fluorescence and EPR) and ESI-MS techniques. The catalytic performance of one of the synthesized complexes 3 for the amidation of aldehyde in the presence of NaHCO3/NH2OH·HCl has been evaluated. The fluorescence emission of complexes [RuCl(PPh3)2(L2)] (2) and [RuCl(PPh3)2(L3)] (3) are effectively quenched by 1,4-benzoquinone and 1,4-naphthoquinone in acetonitrile medium. © 2020 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.