Reaction of equimolar amounts of [WI2(CO)(3)(NCMe)(2)] and norbornadiene (nbd) in toluene at 95 degreesC for 3h gave the 16-electron crystallographically characterised complex, [WI2(CO)(2)(nbd)] (1) in 96 % yield. The structure of I has a distorted octahedral geometry, with the two cis-iodo ligands opposite to the two alkene groups in the equatorial plane, with the carbonyl groups in the axial sites. Treatment of 1 with two equivalents of PhC2Ph in CH2Cl2 at room temperature afforded the bis(alkyne) complex [WI2(CO)(2)(eta(2)-PhC2Ph)(2)] (2). Equimolar quantities of 1 and 4,4'-bipyridine react in CH2Cl2 at room temperature to yield the seven-coordinate complex, [WI2(CO)(2)(4,4'-bipyridine)(nbd)] (3).