Uncommon examples of coordination compounds of high valent transition metals with α-diimines were obtained and characterized by IR and NMR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and/or DFT analysis. The 1 : 1 molar reactions of NbF with a selection of α-diimines afforded the ionic compounds [NbF(DAD)][NbF] (DAD = DAD, 1a; DAD, 1b; DAD, 1c) in 80-90% yields. The addition of DAD to NbOCl gave NbOCl(DAD), 7 (62% yield). [MBr(DAD)][MBr] (M = Nb, 7a; M = Ta, 7b) were afforded in moderate yields from MBr and DAD. The reactions of NbCl with DAD and DAD proceeded with non-selective activation of the organic substrate affording complex mixtures of products, including the quinoxalinium salt [{2,6-CH(CHMe)}N(CH)NCC(CHMe)(CH)C][NbCl], 2, the Nb(iv) coordination complex NbCl(DAD), 3, the N-(monoprotonated) α-diimine salts [DAD(H)][MCl], 4a-b, and the iminomethyl-imidazolium [(2,6-CHMe)NCHCHN(2,6-CHMe)CCHN(2,6-CHMe)][NbCl], 5.