Complexes of type [M(tftb)(2)L-m] [M = Sr; n = 1, L = tetraglyme (4), 2,3-benzo-10-aza-1,4,7,13-tetraoxacyclopentadeca-2-ene (batcp) (5), n = 2, L = 2,2'-bipyridine-N,N' (bipy) (6); M = Ba; n = 1, L = tetraglyme (7), 2,3-benzo-10-aza-1,4,7,13-tetraoxacyclopentadeca-2-ene (batcp) (8); n = 2, L = 2,2'-bipyridine-N,N' (bipy) (9)] were prepared by in situ reactions of 4,4,4-trifluoro-1-(2-thienyl)-1,3-butanedione (Htftb) (1) with M(OH)(2) [M=Sr (2a); Ba (2b)] in the presence of the ancillary ligands L (3a: L= tetraglyme; 3b: L = 2,3-benzo-10-aza-1,4,7,13-tetraoxacyclopentadeca-2-ene (batcp); 3c: L = 2,2'-bipyridine-N,N' (bipy)) in aqueous ethanol. The compounds were obtained in high yields and characterized by elemental analysis, H-1 NMR, mass spectrometry and IR analysis. Molecular structure of the [Sr(tftb)(2)(batcp)] (5) has been determined by X-ray single crystal analysis. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.