Tricarbonylchromiumcomplexes of 4-aryl-1,4-dihydropyridines have been synthesized both under standard thermodynamic conditions using Cr(CO)6 and under milder complexation conditions using more labile [Cr(CO)3(NH3)3] and (η6-naphthalene)Cr(CO)3. Selective complexation of the Cr(CO)3 on the aryl ring in the presence of a 1,4-dihydropyridine ring was achieved.Graphical Abstract