PPh 2 Se) 2 } 2 ] (Mg(3b) 2 ), and [Zn{HC(PPh 2 S) 2 } 2 ] [Zn(3a) 2 ] have been prepared in good yields (69-92 %) by treatment of the neutral ligands H 2 C(PPh 2 E) 2 (1a, E = S; 1b, E = Se) with [Na{N(SiMe 3 ) 2 }] (Na3a), NaNH 2 (Na3b), [K{N(SiMe 3 ) 2 }] (K3a and K3b), [Mg{N(SiMe 3 ) 2 } 2 ] [Mg(3a) 2 and Mg(3b) 2 ], or Me 2 Zn [Zn (3a) 2 ] as base in THF/toluene. These compounds were characterized in solution by multinuclear ( 1 H, 13 C, 31 P, and 77 Se) NMR spectroscopy and the X-ray structures of K3a, K3b, Mg(3a) 2 , Mg(3b) 2 , and Zn(3a) 2 were determined. In the solid state, the E,EЈ-chelated ligands in K3a and K3b also engage in potassium-chalcogen interactions with adjacent molecules Although the in situ generation of the related chalcogencentered monoanions (methanides) [HC(PPh 2 E) 2 ] -(3a, E = S; 3b, E = Se), as lithium derivatives, was employed 40 years [a]