Intramolecular C-C coupling between N bonded 1,2-dimethylimidazole, 2-methyloxazoline, or 2-methylpyridine and either 2,2'-bipyridine (bipy) or 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) ligands results from alpha-methyl group deprotonation in the coordination sphere of Re (CO)(3) fragments. The nucleophilic CH2 group generated by the deprotonation attacks the 6 (bipy) or 2 (phen) positions of the diimines, dearomatizing the involved pyridine ring and generating new asymmetric, fac-capping tridentate ligands.