Extensive SCF calculations have been carried out to determine the metal-ring distance in compounds derived from (cyclopentadienyl)lithium by the addition of N-containing ligands coordinated to the Li atom. NH3 groups have been used to model the ligands. The calculations suggest that the compounds are largely ionic with the N lone pairs coordinating to the positive Li atom, leading to longer and weaker metal-ring bonds. The effect of correlation is discussed on the basis of MP2 calculations for the smaller systems.