The synthesis and characterization of three lithium complexes of novel bis(dichalcogenophosphinate) ligands are reported: (PhP(S) 2 CH 2 CH 2 P(S) 2 Ph)Li 2 (THF) 4 (2), (PhP(Se) 2 CH 2 CH 2 P(Se) 2 Ph)Li 2 (THF) 4 .(PhP(Se) 2 CH 2 CH 2 P(Se) 2 Ph)Li 2 (THF) 6 (3) and [PhP(Te) 2 CH 2 CH 2 P(Te) 2 Ph][Li 8 (OH) 6 (THF) 8 ] (4). The synthetic route to these complexes proceeds via the insertion reaction of elemental chalcogens into the phosphorus-lithium bonds of 1,2-dilithio-1,2-di(phenylphosphine)ethylene (1). X-ray analysis of 2 revealed anisobidentate coordination of the lithiums by the dithiophosphinate groups. In contrast, the diselenophosphinate groups in 3 coordinate the lithium centers in both isobidentate and mono-dentate modes, and the ditellurophosphinate groups in 4 form non-coordinate separate ion pairs. The counter-cation in 4 is shown to be a unique [Li 8 (OH)