The reactivity of LnI(2) (THF)(2) (Ln = Sm, Eu, Yb; THF = tetrahydrofuran) with 2.2.2-cryptand (crypt) was explored to see if these readily accessible precursors could provide new examples of lanthanide-in-crypt complexes. The crystallographically characterized Ln(II)-in-crypt complexes [Ln(crypt)(DMF)(2)][I](2) (Ln = Sm, Eu) and [Yb(crypt)(DMF)]-[I](2) (DMF = dimethylformamide) were synthesized by reacting LnI(2) (THF)(2) (Ln = Sm, Eu, Yb) with crypt in THF and recrystallizing from DMF. Crystallographic data were also obtained on the Ln(II)-in-crypt (Ln = Sm, Eu) complexes [Ln(crypt)(DMF)(2)][BPh4](2), which were synthesized by addition of 2 equiv of NaBPh4 to [Ln(crypt)(DMF)(2)][I](2).