The rate constants for bond shift (k(BS)) and intramolecular charge transfer (k(CT)) in alkali metal salts of bicyclooctatetraenyl dianions (1(2-)) in THF-da were determined by dynamic NMR spectroscopy. The values of kBS and k(CT) increase in the order K < Na I Rb < Cs and K < Rb < Na i Cs much less than Li, respectively. It is concluded that the K, Rb. and Cs salts react as contact ion pairs (CIPs) while the Li and Na salts react as solvent-separated ion pairs (SSIPs). Increases in k(BS) and k(CT) are observed in 1(2-)/2K(+) on going to more polar solvents (NH3/CH3NH2 and THF-d(8)/DMEU). Comparison with kinetic studies of four other dianions has led to the conclusion that 1(2-)/2Na(+) is the first example of a Na salt of a dianion to undergo charge transfer by SSIPs. This is attributed to the difficulty in forming a Na-bridged CIP transition structure in 1(2-)/2Na(+) that can compete with an SSIP transition structure.