The diaminebis(aryloxido) ligand precursors H(2)L(1) and H(2)L(2) [H(2)L(1) = Me(2)NCH(2)CH(2)N(CH(2)-4-CMe(2)CH(2)CMe(3)-C(6)H(3)OH)(2); H(2)L(2) = Me(2)NCH(2)CH(2)N(CH(2)-4-Me-C(6)H(3)OH)(2)] were synthesized by a straightforward single-step Mannich condensation. Their reactions with 2 molar equivalents of MeLi in thf afforded [Li(4)(μ-L-κ(4)O,N,N,O)(2)(thf)(2)] (1a, L(1); 1b, L(2)) and unexpectedly small amounts (∼9%) of [Li(6)(μ-L-κ(4)O,N,N,O)(2)(μ(3)-Cl)(2)(thf)(4)]·thf (2a·thf; L(1); 2b·thf, L(2)). Stoichiometric reactions of LiCl, MeLi and ligand precursors H(2)L led to the formation of 2a and 2b in high yield (∼80%). All compounds were characterized by chemical and physical techniques including X-ray crystallography for H(2)L(1), H(2)L(2), 1b, 2a and 2b.