The phenoxyimine cationic complex [L 1 Y(CH 2 SiMe 2 Ph)-(THF) 3 ][BArF] (L 1 = (3-t Bu)-(O)−C 6 H 3 −CH�N-(2,6-i Pr-C 6 H 3 )) was prepared starting from the homoleptic [Y(CH 2 SiMe 2 Ph) 3 (THF) 2 ] yttrium complex and the phenoxyimine ligand HL 1 and the subsequent cationization by the anilinium borate salt. The resulting complex was characterized by different techniques such as elemental analysis, NMR ( 1 H, 13 C, and 89 Y), and more specifically by the 1 H-coupled 89 Y INEPT. The reactivity of the cationic complex toward isoprene polymerization was evaluated in the presence of trialkylaluminum. This catalyst enables the living cis-1,4 polymerization of isoprene selectively. The influence and the role played by alkylaluminum are discussed based on the screening of a set of aluminum reagents. By means of a computational mechanistic investigation performed at the DFT level, a cationic complex that accounts for the cis/trans/3,4 selectivities experimentally observed is identified. Additionally, the in silico speciation of complexes resulting from the precatalytic mixture revealed the formation of stable Y/Al heterobimetallic complexes. Finally, for comparison purposes, the cationic amidinate yttrium complex [L 2 Y(CH 2 SiMe 2 Ph)(THF) 3 ][B(C 6 F 5 ) 4 ] (L 2 = PhC(N-2,6-i Pr 2 C 6 H 3 ) 2 ) was synthesized and evaluated toward isoprene polymerization under similar conditions. This complex turned out to be active and selective toward the formation of 3,4-units.