The reaction of the naphthalene complex of ytterbium, [Yb(DME)(2)](2)(mu-C1
0H8) with 2,2'-bipyridine in 1,2-dimethoxyethane afforded the Yb-II complex
containing the 2,2'-bipyridine radical anion. The resulting complex YbI(bi
py)(DME)(2) was characterized by IR and ESR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction
analysis, and magnetochemistry.