Abstract. The reaction of CrO 2 Cl 2 with 2,2Ј-bipyridyl or 1,10-phenanthroline (diimine) in CCl 4 or anhydrous CH 3 CO 2 H solution, produces orange-brown diamagnetic [CrO 2 Cl 2 (diimine)]. The X-ray structure of [CrO 2 Cl 2 (2,2Ј-bipy)] shows a six-coordinate central chromium(VI) atom with cis-dioxo groups trans to the diimine. In contrast, the diimines react with CrO 3 in CH 3 CO 2 H / conc. aqueous HCl to form bright red paramagnetic Cr V complexes, [CrOCl 3 (diimine)]. The X-ray structure of [CrOCl 3 (2,2Ј-bipy)] shows a six-coordinate central chromium atom with mer-chlorines and the diimine trans to O/Cl. The