The reorganization energy (lambda) for the oxidative quenching of *RuL32+ (L = phen, 5,6-Me(2)phen, 5-Clphen) by MV2+ in aqueous solutian is in the order NaClO4 < NaI < NaBr < NaCl < NaF < NaH2PO4. In each of the electrolyte solutions, the Clphen and Me(2)phen complexes exhibited the lowest and highest values of lambda, respectively. The presence of electron-withdrawing and -donating substituents on the ligand affect the structure of the solvent cage and the energetics of solvent reorganization.