The reaction of the ytterbium(II) bis(indenyl) complex (C 9 H 7 ) 2 Yb(thf) 2 (1) with 2,2´ bi pyridine afforded the diamagnetic (C 9 H 7 ) 2 Yb(bipy) compound (2), whose structure was estab lished by X ray diffraction analysis. Under similar conditions, the reaction of complex 1 with 1,4 bis(2,6 diisopropylphenyl) 1,4 diazabuta 1,3 diene (DAD) led to oxidation of ytterbium giving rise to the paramagnetic (C 9 H 7 ) 2 Yb(DAD) complex (3). Magnetic measurements, X ray diffraction study, and 1 H NMR spectroscopy in benzene confirmed the trivalent state of the ytterbium atom and the radical anionic nature of the diazadiene ligand in complex 3. In the complex 3-solvent system, the oxidation state of metal depends on the coordination ability of the solvent. In benzene, complex 3 exists as (C 9 H 7 ) 2 Yb III (DAD •-), whereas (C 9 H 7 ) 2 Yb II (thf) 2 and DAD 0 are present in THF.