A novel heteroleptic ruthenium(II) complex bearing a 4-picolinic acid unit as anchoring ligands (trans-dithiocyanato bis(4-picolinic acid)ruthenium(II) (trans-H1)) was synthesized and its chemical structure was identified by 1H-NMR, FT-IR and mass spectroscopy. The optical, thermal, electrochemical and dye adsorption properties of trans-H1 dye were investigated and compared with those of the gold standard ruthenium complex, Ru(4,4``-dicarboxy-2,2``-bipyridine)2cis(NCS)2 (N3). DSSCs based on trans-H1 dyes were examined under the illumination of AM 1.5 G, 100 mWcm-2 and exhibited typical photovoltaic properties with an open-circuit voltage (VOC) of 0.46 V, a short-circuit current (JSC) of 4.10 mA·cm-2, a fill factor (FF) of 60.4%, and a conversion efficiency (PCE) of 1.14%.