Pentamethylcyclopentadienyl derivatives of the trivalent lanthanide elements neodymium, samarium, and ytterbium

The anionic complexes of the type (ML{sub x})(Me{sub 5}C{sub 5}){sub 2}M'Cl{sub 2}, where M is lithium or sodium, L is diethyl ether or N,N,-N{prime},N{prime}-tetramethylethylenediamine, and M{prime} is neodymium, samarium, or ytterbium, have been prepared from the metal trichlorides and the pentamethylcyclopentadienide anion. The neutral species (Me{sub 5}C{sub 5}){sub 2}NdCl(THF), (Me{sub 5}C{sub 5}){sub 2}NdN(SiMe{sub 3}){sub 2}, and (Me{sub 5}C{sub 5}){sub 2}YbCl(THF) have also been prepared. The mono-ring derivatives (Na(OEt{sub 2}){sub 2})((C{sub 5}Me{sub 5})NdCl{sub 3}) and (Me{sub 5}C{sub 5})Nd(N(SiMe{sub 3}){sub 2}){sub 2} are also described.