[LnIIAlIII2(alkyl)8]x: donor addition instead of donor-induced cleavage

(SmAl2Me8)x and (SmAl2Et8)x are obtained via a silylamide elimination reaction from Sm[N(SiMe3)2]2(THF)2 and excess AlR3 (R = Me, Et); (LnAl2Et8)x(Ln = Sm, Yb) react with THF, pyridine, and 1,10-phenanthroline to form the first donor adducts of homoleptic peralkylated Ln–Al heterobimetallic complexes.