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The synthesis and characterization of the first series of low-coordinate bis(terphenyl) complexes of the Group 12 metals, [Zn(2,6-Naph2C6H3)2] ( 1), [Cd(OEt2)(2,6-Naph2C6H3)2] ( 2) and [Hg(OEt2)(2,6-Naph2C6H3)2] ( 3) (Naph=1-C10H7) are described. The naphthyl substituents of the terphenyl ligands confer considerable steric bulk, and as a result of limited flexibility introduce multiple conformations to these unusual systems. In the solid state, complex 1 features a two-coordinate Zn centre with the ligands oriented in a syn/ anti conformation, whereas the three-coordinate distorted T-shaped complexes 2 and 3 feature the ligands in the syn/ syn configurations. The results of DFT calculations are in good agreement with the solid-state configurations for these complexes and support the spectroscopic measurements, which indicate several conformers in solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]