Synthesis of a zirconium sandwich complex and crystallographic characterization of its adduct with tetrahydrofuran.

Reductive elimination of alkane from a silylated bis-indenyl zirconium isobutyl hydride affords a zirconium sandwich complex with an unusual eta6 indenyl ligand. Crystallographic characterization of its adduct with tetrahydrofuran has been achieved and reveals significant localization in the six-membered ring. Complexation of more potent ligands such as carbon monoxide and diphenylacetylene are effective in promoting haptotropic rearrangement of the eta6 indenyl ligand and provides familiar bent zirconocene derivatives. The zirconium sandwich compound also undergoes oxidative addition of carbon-hydrogen bonds of pyridyl ligands, resulting in a crystallographically characterized dimethylamino pyridyl hydride complex of zirconium.