The synthesis, structure and reactivity of several diiminate ligands are presented. The syntheses of five representative β-diiminate (BDI) zinc alkyl complexes and one β-oxo-δ- diiminate (BODDI) zinc alkyl are described. BDI ligands with varying backbone and N-aryl substituents display different solid state structures.[(BDI) ZnR] are synthesized by the reaction of (BDI) H with ZnR2 in quantitative yield. Previously reported (BDI-1) ZnEt is a ...