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Reaction of LiOC t Bu 2 Ph with TlPF 6 forms the dimeric Tl 2 (OC t Bu 2 Ph) 2 complex, a rare example of a homoleptic thallium alkoxide complex demonstrating formally two-coordinate metal centers. Characterization of Tl 2 (OC t Bu 2 Ph) 2 by 1 H and 13 C NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography reveals the presence of two isomers differing by the mutual conformation of the alkoxide ligands, and by the planarity of the central Tl–O–Tl–O plane. Tl 2 (OC t Bu 2 Ph) 2 serves as a convenient precursor to the formation of old and new [M(OC t Bu 2 Ph) n ] complexes (M = Cr, Fe, Cu, Zn), including a rare example of T-shaped Zn(OC t Bu 2 Ph) 2 (THF) complex, which could not be previously synthesized using more conventional LiOR/HOR precursors. The reaction of [Ru(cymene)Cl 2 ] 2 with Tl 2 (OC t Bu 2 Ph) 2 results in the formation of a ruthenium( ii ) alkoxide complex. For ruthenium, the initial coordination of the alkoxide triggers C–H activation at the ortho -H of [OC t Bu 2 Ph] which results in its bidentate coordination. In addition to Tl 2 (OC t Bu 2 Ph) 2 , related Tl 2 (OC t Bu 2 (3,5-Me 2 C 6 H 3 )) 2 was also synthesized, characterized, and shown to exhibit similar reactivity with iron and ruthenium precursors. Synthetic, structural, and spectroscopic characterizations are presented.