Controlled hydrolysis of a (beta-diketiminate)calcium-amide gave a heteroleptic (beta-diketiminate)calcium-hydroxide complex that is remarkably stable against ligand exchange and formation of Ca(OH)(2). The structure of this dimeric complex shows OH- units that symmetrically bridge the Ca2+ ions. This hydrocarbon-soluble calcium hydroxide reacted rapidly with CO2 to produce a gel from which amorphous CaCO3 slowly separated. This reaction behavior allows for sol-gel coating with CaCO3 from an organic solvent. Reaction with benzophenone did not lead to nucleophilic attack of OH- to the carbonyl but gave a red benzophenone adduct instead.