The aerial oxidation of 3,5-di-zm-butylcatechol in the presence of ammonia and divalent metal ions (Mg2+, Fe2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, Cd2+) is shown to produce pseudooctahedral complexes which contain, as a tridentate ligand, the anion of 3,5-di-zerí-butyl-l,2-quinone l-(2-hydroxy-3,5-di-zert-butylphenyl)imine. The same complexes are formed by the reaction of the metal ion with 3,5-di-zerz-butylcatechol, 3,5-dWert-butyl-1,2-quinone, and ammonia in the absence of air, The analytically pure, crystalline complexes have been characterized by infrared, proton magnetic resonance, and electronic spectra. The electronic spectra are dominated by intense, ligand-based transitions which extend into the near-infrared region. The magnetic moments of the iron, nickel, and copper complexes are 5.33, 3.22, and 1.87 BM, respectively; the other complexes are diamagnetic. The electron spin resonance spectrum of the copper complex indicates that it possesses a tetragonally compressed ligand field with g{ < g±. A possible mechanism for the formation of the ligand is discussed.