The THF complexes LnI 2 ·(THF) 2 [Ln = Yb (yellow), Eu (dark yellow), Sm (dark blue)] were prepared by reaction of small pieces of metal with 1,2-diiodoethane in THF. 32, 33 The dark blue SmI 2 ·(THF) 2 was either dissolved in THF or suspended in toluene and treated with silanyl mono- or dianions.
Source: wiktionary