THF coordination complexes of Eu(TePh)(2) and Yb(TePh)(2) crystallize as one-dimensional polymers. Transmetalation, rather than salt elimination, is the superior synthetic approach to these materials. Addition of 3 equiv of NaTeC6H5 to a solution of EuCl3 in THF gives crystals of the bimetallic one-dimensional coordination polymer [(THF)(3)Eu(TeC6H5)(2)NaTePh](infinity) (1). If the reaction product is dissolved in pyridine, crystalline (pyridine)(5)Eu(TeC6H5)(2) is isolated. Recrystallization of (pyridine)(5)Eu(TeC6H5)(2) from THF gives the one-dimensional polymer [(THF)(2)Eu(TeC6H5)(2)](infinity) (2), which can also be prepared by the transmetalation reaction between Hg(TePh)(2) and Eu in THF. The analogous Yb salt elimination reactions do not give crystalline material, but the THF complex of Yb(TePh)(2) can be prepared by transmetalation using Hg(TePh)(2), and crystallizes as [(THF)(2)Yb(TeC6H5)(2.)(1)/2THF](infinity) (3). All three coordination polymers (1-3) were characterized by low-temperature single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The structure of 1 contains pairs of divalent europium ions bridged by a pair of mu(3)-PhTe ligands that are also coordinated to one Na. The Europium coordination sphere also includes three THF ligands, one mu(3)-PhTe ligand that bridges one of the Eu and two Na ions that separate the pair of europium atoms from the next pair of Eu(II) ions, and one mu(2)-PhTe ligand that bridges one Eu and Na. The structure of 2 contains a one-dimensional array of octahedral metal ions bound to cis-THF ligands and a pair of two bridging mu(2)-phenyltellurolato ligands. Polymer 3 also contains octahedral metal ions with cis-THF, but in this structure the metal ions are connected to adjacent metals by an alternating number (1-3-1-3) of mu(2)-phenyltellurolates. Crystal data (Mo K alpha, -100 degrees C) : 1, space group , a = 9.800(3) Angstrom, b = 13.453(8) Angstrom, c = 14.019(4) Angstrom, alpha = 104.81(4)degrees, beta = 103.50(2)degrees, gamma = 100.50(2)degrees; 2, space group , a = 8.533(4) Angstrom, b = 10.285 Angstrom, c = 13.490(4) Angstrom, alpha = 71.57(2)degrees, beta = 88.69(3)degrees, gamma = 85.32(3)degrees;3, space group P2(1)/c, a = 13.805(5) Angstrom, b = 19.149(5) Angstrom, c = 18.115(8) Angstrom, beta = 100.30(3)degrees.