Zinc(II) and cadmium(II) salts of the formula [K(THF)(6)]-[M(O-2,6-(Bu2C6H3)-Bu-t)(3)] have been synthesized and fully characterized. The K cation, solvated by THF molecules, has no interaction with the trigonal-planar group 12 metal anion. The zinc complex exhibited no activity toward catalyzing the copolymerization of CO2 with epoxides to provide polycarbonates.