The 7Li chemical shifts of Et 2O, THF and DME solutions of the metalates LiBMe 4, LiAlMe 4, LiGaMe 4, and LiTlMe 4, are reported. These data are correlated with values from the literature. The observed changes in 7Li chemical shift are discussed in terms of solvation of the lithium ion and ion pair formation in solution. The 7Li chemical shift of LiSnMe 3 in THF is also reported and a brief discussion of the 7Li chemical shifts of LiMPh 3 (M = C, Si, Ge, Sn, Pb) is presented.