The present work describes the synthesis and reactivity of a rare example of Lu II neutral complex. The fluxionality of the Cp ttt ligand is essential to provide kinetic stabilization of the divalent metal center while still allowing coordination of exogenous ligands. The Lu II complex, 2, reduces H 2 at room temperature to give a Lu III -hydride complex, which corresponds to the first example of direct H 2 splitting by a molecular rare-earth complex. This unusual reactivity has been fully supported by DFT calculations. In addition, 2 readily reacts with N 2 with reversible formation of an end-on coordinated (N 2 ) 2-complex. The latter reacts with H 2 under very smooth conditions yielding a Lu III -NH 2 via direct