The solvatochromic behaviour of bis-(2,2′-bipyridyl)-biscyanoiron (II) and 2,2′- bipyridyltetracyanoiron (II) in 2-ethyl-2-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-propanediol has been established. The significance and sensitivities of the solvatochromic shifts of these charge-transfer bands are outlined for the two iron complexes above.