The catalytic water oxidation activity of mononuclear ruthenium complexes comprising a pyridine-functionalized abnormal triazolylidene ligand can be adjusted by modification of the triazolylidene substituents, which is readily achieved through click-type cycloaddition chemistry, affording some of the most active ruthenium catalysts known thus far for water oxidation (TONs > 400, TOFs close to 7000 h^-1).