The oxalic amidine compounds C6H5NC (NHtBu)–C (NHtBu)= NC6H51 and C6H5NC {N (tBu)(SiMe3)}–C {N (tBu)(SiMe3)}= NC6H52 are described. The compound [(C6H5N) C (NHtBu)–C (NHtBu)(NHC6H5)][Br] 3* has been isolated from the reaction between 1 and [NiBr2 (DME)]. Treatment of 1 with M (NMe2) 4 (M= Zr or Ti),[Ta (NEt2) 2Cl3 (py)] or [Zr {N (SiMe3) 2} 3Cl] gives the bimetallic complexes [M (NMe2) 3 (C6H5N) C (NtBu)–] 2 (M= Zr ( ...