Four low-coordinate transition metal amido complexes featuring sterically demanding 1,8-bis(silylamido)naphthalene ligands are reported. Reaction of one molar equivalent of 1,8-C10H6(NLiSiMe3)(2) with ZnCl2 yields the structurally authenticated dimer [1,8-C10H6(NSiMe3)(2)Zn](2) (1), where the 1,8-bis(silylamido)naphthalene moiety is acting as both a chelating and bridging ligand. The effect on the resulting transition metal complexes of increasing the steric demands of the ligand was investigated, using the triisopropylsilyl-substituted ligand 1,8-C10H6((NSiPr3)-Pr-i)(2). Reaction of one molar equivalent of 1,8-C10H6((NLiSiPr3)-Pr-i)(2) with ZnCl2 or FeCl2(THF)(1.5) yields 1,8-C10H6((NSiPr3)-Pr-i)(2)M(mu-Cl)Li(THF)(3) (M = Zn, 2; M = Fe, 3), respectively; the coordination of the CILi(THF)(3) moiety to the metal center in these compounds is a rare structural motif in the coordination chemistry of the d-block elements.. Analogous reaction of 1,8-C10H6((NLiSiPr3)-Pr-i)(2) with MnCl2 affords the mixed-metal Li-Mn-amido complex 1,8-C10H6((NSiPr3)-Pr-i)(2)Li(THF)MnCl(THF) (4) which features an unusual LiMnN2 core.