This work aimed at designing an original heterobimetallic framework combining a reactive nickel species and a divalent organolanthanide fragment in the presence of a redox non-innocent ligand. The crucial role of the divalent lanthanide moiety is to act as a single-electron transfer reductant. As redox non-innocent ligands are able to allow strong electron correlation, the reactivity of the reactive transition metal center can be selectively modulated. In this context, carbon monoxide activation was investigated using a special heterobimetallic complex bridged by a 2,2’-bipyridimine ligand. A multiconfigurational ground state behavior was observed and found responsible for the stabilization of the intermediate acyl species, as evidenced by ...