The tetradentate ligand, common name Salban(Bu-t)H-4 (N,N'-bis(2-hydroxy-3,5-di-tert-butylbenzyl)-1,4-diaminobutane) combines with appropriate amounts of LiAlH4 to produce the unique monomeric, uni-ligated aluminate [Salban(Bu-t)Al]Li(thf)(2) (1) and the bimetallic derivative Salban(Bu-t){AlH2Li(thf)(2)}(2) (2).