Synthesis and structures of neutral and cationic rac-(ethylenebis(tetrahydroindenyl))zirconium(IV) benzyl complexes

Reaction of rac-(ethylenebis(tetrahydroindenyl))ZrCl{sub 2} (1) with 2 equiv of K(CH{sub 2}Ph) produces the dibenzyl complex (ethylenebis(tetrahydroindenyl))Zr(CH{sub 2}Ph){sub 2} (2). Reaction of 2 with ((C{sub 5}H{sub 4}Me){sub 2}Fe)(BPh{sub 4}) yields the cationic complex ((ethylenebis(tetrahydroindenyl))Zr(CH{sub 2}Ph)(THF))(BPh{sub 4}) (3). In CH{sub 3}CN solvent, 3 undergoes ligand substitution to yield ((ethylenebis(tetrahydroindenyl))Zr({eta}{sup 2}-CH{sub 2}Ph)(CH{sub 3}CN))(BPh{sub 4}) (4). The structures of 2 and 4 have been determined by X-ray diffraction. Complex 2 crystallizes in space group Pbcn with a = 10.008 (3) {angstrom}, b = 14.895 (4) {angstrom}, c = 17.532 (6) {angstrom}, V = 2,613.5 (2.4) {angstrom}{sup 3}, and Z = 4. Complex 4 crystallizes in space group P1 with a = 12.300 (2) {angstrom}, b = 12.493 (2) {angstrom}, c = 16.633 (3) {angstrom}, {alpha} = 84.61 (1){degree}, {beta} = 71.18 (1){degree}, {gamma} = 69.42 (1){degree}, V = 2,264.1 (9) {angstrom}{sup 3}, and Z = 2.