The complexes Cp2ML2, with M = Ti, Zr and Hf, and L-2 = bipyridyl, biquinoline and 4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridyl, were prepared in excellent yields via magnesium reduction of the respective group 4 metallocene dichlorides in THF solution. H-1 NMR spectroscopy in benzene-d(6) indicates that this synthetic route affords Cp2Ti(bpy) as a diamagnetic product. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A.