Reaction of Pd(acac)(2) with 1 equiv of the lithium beta-diketiminate Li(Pr-i(2)-nacnac) (Pr-i(2)-nacnac) CH {C(Me) NiPr} 2) affords the dark red mixed-ligand complex ( acac) Pd( iPr2-nacnac) ( 1), while with 2 equiv of Li((i)Pr2-nacnac) the light red homoleptic Pd((i)Pr2-nacnac)(2) (2) is formed. A similar reaction of Pd(acac)(2) with the more bulky (THF)Li(Ar-2-nacnac) (Ar-2-nacnac=CH {C(Me)N(C6H3-2,6-Pr-i(2))}(2)) proceeds only to the stage of the mixed-ligand complex. While below 0 degrees C red (acac) Pd(kappa N-2, N-Ar-2-nacnac) ( 4) is isolated as the kinetically controlled product, which is stable in the solid state, this complex isomerizes in solution at ambient temperature to yield the lighter red and chiral ( acac) Pd(kappa C-2, N-Ar-2-nacnac) ( 5), displaying a novel nacnac bonding mode. The reaction of [Pd(MeCN)(4)](BF4)(2) and that of the Pd(I) complex [Pd-2(MeCN)(6)](BF4)(2) with (THF) Li(Ar-2-nacnac) gives [(kappa N-2, N-Ar-2-nacnac)Pd(MeCN)(2)]-( BF4) (6). The kappa N-2, N-Ar-2-nacnac ligand in 6 is sufficiently nucleophilic to displace acetonitrile from [Pd(MeCN)(4)]( BF4)(2) and produce the pure dinuclear [(MeCN)(3)Pd{mu-CH(C(Me)NAr)(2)} Pd(MeCN)(2)](BF4)(3) (A), previously accessible only in a mixture. From the reactions of {(eta(3)-C3H5) Pd(mu-Cl)}(2) with Li(Pr-i(2)-nacnac) and (THF) Li(Ar-2-nacnac) the mixed-ligand complexes (eta(3)-C3H5)Pd(Pr-i(2)-nacnac) (3a) and (eta(3)-C3H5) Pd(kappa N-2,N-Ar-2-nacnac) (3b) have been obtained. Reaction of (cod) PdMeCl with (THF)Li(Ar-2-nacnac) affords (Ar-2-nacnac) PdMe(MeCN) ( 7). An anisotropic effect of the Ar-2-nacnac ligand in the H-1 NMR spectra of 3b and 4 can be noted. The structures of 2, 3a, 4, and 5 have been determined by X-ray crystallography.