Reactivity of Decamethylzirconocene Trihydride Anion with Protic Reagents

The reactions of [(C₅Me₅)₂ZrH₃Li]₃ (1) with 2,6-diisopropylphenol, aniline, and o-methoxyaniline gave Cp*₂ZrH(OC₆H₃(2,6-i-Pr₂)) (2), Cp₂*Zr(NHPh)₂ (3), and Cp₂*Zr(NH(C₆H₄OMe))₂ (4), respectively. In contrast, reaction of 1 with thiophenol afforded [(Cp*₂ZrH₃)(LiTHF)]₂(LiSPh) (5). The implications of these results are considered. Crystallographic data for 3−5 are reported.