Unsaturation in binuclear cyclopentadienylchromium carbonyl thiocarbonyls: Viability of (η-C5H5)2Cr2(CS)2(CO)3 in contrast to (η-C5H5)2Cr2(CO)5

The cyclopentadienylchromium carbonyl thiocarbonyls Cp₂Cr₂(CS)₂(CO)_n (n = 4, 3, 2, 1) have been studied by density functional theory using the B3LYP and BP86 functionals. The lowest energy Cp₂Cr₂(CS)₂(CO)₄ structure can be derived from the experimentally characterized unbridged Cp₂Cr₂(CO)₆ structure by replacing the two terminal carbonyl groups furthest from the Cr-Cr bond with two terminal CS groups. The two lowest energy Cp₂Cr₂(CS)₂(CO)₃ structures have a single four-electron donor η²-μ-CS group and a formal Cr-Cr single bond of length ∼3.1 Å. In contrast to the carbonyl analogue Cp₂Cr₂(CO)₅ these Cp₂Cr₂(CS)₂(CO)₃ structures are viable with respect to disproportionation into Cp₂Cr₂(CS)₂(CO)₄ and Cp₂Cr₂(CS)₂(CO)₂ and thus are promising synthetic targets. The lowest energy Cp₂Cr₂(CS)₂(CO)₂ structures have all two-electron donor CO and CS groups and short CrCr distances around ∼2.3 Å suggesting the formal triple bonds required to give the chromium atoms the favored 18-electron configurations. These Cp₂Cr₂(CS)₂(CO)₂ structures are closely related to the known structure for Cp₂Cr₂(CO)₄. In addition, several doubly bridged structures with four-electron donor η²-μ-CS bridges are found for Cp₂Cr₂(CS)₂(CO)₂ at higher energies. The global minimum Cp₂Cr₂(CS)₂(CO) structure is a triply bridged triplet with a CrCr triple bond (2.299 Å by BP86). A higher energy singlet Cp₂Cr₂(CS)₂(CO) structure has a shorter Cr-Cr distance of 2.197 Å (BP86) suggesting the formal quadruple bond required to give each chromium atom the favored 18-electron configuration.     

Dynamic behavior of [(η-C5H4CH3)Cr(CO)2(μ-SBu)Pt(PPh3)2] in solution

The structure and dynamic behavior of complex [(η⁵-C₅H₄CH₃)Cr(CO)₂(μ-SBu)Pt(PPh₃)₂] in solution was studied by multinuclear (¹H, ¹³C, ³¹P) NMR spectroscopy including a phase-sensitive NOESY experiment. Increasing temperature causes rupture of the Cr-Pt bond in the three-membered ring of the complex and rotation of the S-Pt(PPh₃)₂ unit around the Cr-S bond line, followed by formation of a new Cr-Pt bond to close the ring. All activation parameters for this dynamic process have been determined.     

New ferrocenylmethylphosphines - Preparation, characterisation and coordination chemistry of PH(CH2Fc)2, P(CH2Fc)3 [Fc = Fe(η-C5H5)(η-C5H4)] and their derivatives

The new ferrocenylmethylphosphines PH(CH₂Fc)₂ (1) [Fc = Fe(η⁵-C₅H₅)(η⁵-C₅H₄)] and P(CH₂Fc)₃ (2) and the phosphonium salt [P(CH₂Fc)₃(CH₂OH)]I (3) were synthesised from P(CH₂OH)₃ and [FcCH₂NMe₃]I. [P(CH₂Fc)(CH₂OH)₃]Cl (4) was obtained from P(CH₂Fc)(CH₂OH)₂, CH₂O and HCl. The new phosphines and phosphonium salts were fully characterised by NMR and IR spectroscopy and MS. [Mo(CO)₆] reacts with 1 to give [Mo(CO)₅{PH(CH₂Fc)₂}] (5) in high yield, but attempts to employ 2 as a ligand failed. The reaction of [P(CH₂Fc)₃(CH₂OH)]I (3) and [PH(CH₂Fc)₃]I (obtained in situ from 3 and Na₂S₂O₅) with [WI₂(CO)₃(NCMe)₂] gave the complex salts [P(CH₂Fc)₃(CH₂OH)][WI₃(CO)₄] (6) and [PH(CH₂Fc)₃][WI₃(CO)₄] (7), respectively. [P(CH₂Fc)₄]I (8) was synthesized from PH₂CH₂Fc and [FcCH₂NMe₃]I. Crystal structures were obtained for 1, 3-8.     

Functionalization of linear and cyclic siloxanes and a dendritic carbosilane with (η-C5H5)Fe(CO)2Si(CH3)2CHCH2 via hydrosilylation reaction

A series of multimetallic systems containing silicon-linked cyclopentadienyl dicarbonyl iron moieties including carbosilane dendrimers and cyclic and polymeric siloxanes have been prepared using hydrosilylation reactions. For this purpose the vinyl-substituted silyliron complex (η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe(CO)₂Si(CH₃)₂ CHCH₂ (1) was prepared by salt elimination reaction between Na[(η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe(CO)₂] and ClSi(CH₃)₂CHCH₂ and fully characterized. Hydrosilylation reaction of 1 with the appropriate Si-H functionalized molecules in the presence of Karstedt catalyst afforded the novel silyl carbonyl iron-functionalized cyclotetrasiloxane 2, dendrimer 3 and copolymer 4, in which the organometallic units are attached to the silicon-based frameworks through a two-methylene flexible spacer. The electrochemical behaviour of compounds 1-4 has been examined in dichloromethane, tetrahydrofuran and acetonitrile solutions using cyclic voltammetry.     

Cyclopentadienyl chromium complexes with halide, methyl, isothiocyanate and isoselenocyanate ligands: Structures of [η-(C5H4-COOCH3)]Cr(NO)2(Br) and [η-(C5H4-COOCH3)]Cr(NO)2(NCS)

Bromination/nitrosylation of [η⁵-(carbomethoxy)cyclopentadienyl]dicarbonylnitrosylchromium (8) (hereafter called carbomethoxycynichrodene) with hydrogen bromide/isoamyl nitrite gives bromo [η⁵-(carboxymethoxy)cyclopentadienyl]dinitrosylchromium (10) in 84%. Compounds 15 in 74% and 16 in 90% were obtained from the corresponding cynichrodene derivatives via the same method. Compounds [η⁵-(carbomethoxy)cyclopentadienyl](isothiocyanato)dinitrosylchromium (13) and [η⁵-(carbomethoxy)cyclopentadienyl](isoselenocyanato)dinitrosylchromium (14) were prepared from [η⁵-(carbomethoxy)cyclopentadienyl]chlorodinitrosylchromium (9) with excess potassium thiocyanate and selenocyanate, respectively, after detaching the chloride by the action of silver nitrate. One of the nitrosyl groups in each compound is located at the site away from the exocyclic carbonyl carbon of the Cp(Cr) ring with twist angles of 168.5° and 172.3°, respectively. The chemical shifts of C(2)-C(5) carbon atoms of a series of substituted-cyclopentadienyldinitrosylchromium derivatives, [η⁵-(C₅H₄-sub)]Cr(NO)₂X, have been assigned using two-dimensional HetCOR NMR spectroscopy. The assigned chemical shifts were compared with the NMR data of their analogues of ferrocene, and the opposite correlation on the assignments was observed. The electron density distribution in the cyclopentadienyl ring is discussed on the basis of ¹³C NMR data and those of 10 and 13 are compared with the calculations via density functional B3LYP correlation-exchange method.     

Synthesis and X-ray investigation of novel Fe and Mn phenyltellurenyl-halide complexes: (CO)3FeBr2(PhTeBr), (η-C5H5)Fe(CO)2(PhTeI2) and CpMn(CO)2(PhTeI)

New complexes of transition metals with organotellurium halide ligands are reported. Iodination of [CpMn(CO)₂]₂(μ-Ph₂Te₂) leads to the Te-Te bond cleavage and formation of CpMn(CO)₂(PhTeI). Oxidative addition of PhTeBr₃ to Fe(CO)₅ gives the monomeric complex (CO)₃FeBr₂(PhTeBr) which is isostructural with the recently reported (CO)₃FeI₂(PhTeI). Insertion of phenyltellurenyl iodide (PhTeI) into the Fe-I bond of CpFe(CO)₂I forms CpFe(CO)₂(TeI₂Ph). Molecular structures of the reported complexes were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD). A considerable shortening of metal-tellurium distances is observed.     

The preparation and crystal structure of (η-C5H5)(OC)3Mo(CH2)3C6H5

The reaction of with p-CH₃C₆H₄S(O)₂O(CH₂)₃C₆H₅ produces (η⁵-C₅H₅)(OC)₃Mo(CH₂)₃C₆H₅. This is only the second structurally characterized organometallic species in which an aromatic moiety is separated by three or more methylene groups. The alkyl chain adopts a staggered conformation, the Mo-C(1)-C(2)-C(3)-C(4) unit is nearly coplanar, and the alkyl chain eclipses the trans-carbonyl group on Mo. NMR evidence indicates that this conformation is preserved in solution.     

Synthesis, properties and structures of methyldiphenylphosphonium 1-indenylide, 1-C9H6PMePh2, and its chiral tricarbonylchromium(0) complex Cr(η-1-C9H6PMePh2)(CO)3

The hitherto unknown indenyl-derived ylide, methyldiphenylphosphonium 1-indenylide, 1-C₉H₆PMePh₂ (1) and its chromium(0) complex, Cr(η⁵-1-C₉H₆PMePh₂)(CO)₃ (2) have been synthesized and characterized spectroscopically and crystallographically. The structures and properties of 1 and 2 are compared with those of the analogous C₅H₄PMePh₂ and its chromium complex, Cr(η⁵-C₅H₄PMePh₂)(CO)₃. Compound 2, obtained as a racemic mixture, exhibits planar chirality resulting from coordination of the prochiral aromatic ligand.     

Effect of high external pressures on the vibrational spectra of Zeise’s complexes, K[Pt(η-C2H4)Cl3] and [Pt(η-C2H4)Cl2]2

The pressure dependences (dν/dP) of the main IR and Raman bands of Zeise’s complexes, K[Pt(η²-C₂H₄)Cl₃] and [Pt(η²-C₂H₄)Cl₂]₂, have been determined for the first time for selected pressures up to ∼33 kbar with the aid of diamond-anvil cells. Neither complex undergoes a pressure-induced structural change throughout the pressure range investigated. The dν/dP values range from −0.13 to 0.79 cm⁻¹ kbar⁻¹. The negative values have proved particularly informative in identifying the location of the CC stretching modes of the Pt-ethylene groups, a topic of considerable disagreement in the literature.     

Reactions of diferrocenyl dichalcogenides with [W(CO)5(THF)]: X-ray crystal structures of Fc2Te2 and [W2(μ-SeFc)2(CO)8] (Fc = [Fe(η-C5H5)(η-C5H4)])

Treatment of [W(CO)₅THF] with diferrocenyl diselenide, Fc₂Se₂, yielded the novel metal-metal bonded tungsten(I) complex, [W₂(μ-SeFc)₂(CO)₈] (1: Fc = ferrocenyl, [Fe(η⁵-C₅H₅)(η⁵-C₅H₄)]), which was characterised by NMR and IR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and X-ray crystallography. The corresponding tellurium derivative could not be prepared by an analogous route. The X-ray crystal structure of Fc₂Te₂ has also been determined.     

Hydrogenation of cyclohexene catalyzed by ruthenium nitrosyl complexes: Crystal structures of catalyst precursors [CpRu(μ2-NO)2RuCp] and [CpRu(NO)(η-C6H10)] (Cp = η-C5(CH3)5)

Hydrogenation of cyclohexene with 0.1 mol% of the (nitrosyl)ruthenium catalyst [Cp^∗Ru(NO)(C₆H₅)₂] (1; Cp^∗ = η⁵-C₅(CH₃)₅) under 1.0 MPa of H₂ in water at 90 °C for 13 h afforded cyclohexane in 94% yield. The nitrosyl-bridged dinuclear complex [Cp^∗Ru(μ₂-NO)₂RuCp^∗] (2) and the mononuclear cyclohexene complex [Cp^∗Ru(NO)(η²-C₆H₁₀)] (3), which also serve as catalyst precursors, have been obtained from the reaction mixture. X-ray crystallographic analyses of 2 and 3 have revealed that the bridging nitrosyl ligands in 2 form an almost planar Ru₂N₂ four-membered ring with the Ru–Ru distance of 2.5366(5) Å, whereas the nitrosyl ligand in 3 is linear. On the other hand, a ruthenium complex without a nitrosyl ligand [Cp^∗Ru(CH₃CN)₃][OSO₂CF₃] proved to be less effective for this hydrogenation.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of highly soluble ansa-titano- and zirconocene dichloride complexes [Me2Si(η-C5H2(SiMe3)2]2MCl2 (M=Ti, Zr)

The synthesis and X-ray characterization of ansa-metallocene dichloride titanium and zirconium complexes of the type [Me₂Si(η⁵-C₅H₂(SiMe₃)₂)₂]MCl₂ (M=Zr (1), Ti (2)) are reported. The complexes have been tested for ethylene polymerization.     

Transformation of C2 units on a bimetallic tetranuclear cluster.: Reactivity of [Ru3Mo(μ3-η-CC)(μ-CO)3(CO)2(η-C5H4R)3(η-C5H5)] (R = H, Me)

The reactivity of [Ru₃Mo(μ₄-η²-CC)(μ-CO)₃(CO)₂(η-C₅H₄R)₃(η-C₅H₅)] (R = H; Me) have been investigated, initially to elucidate the nature of the starting material, and, latterly, to define the reactivity of an interesting ethane-1,2-bis(ylidyne) species. While the mixed RuMo clusters were unreactive towards simple electrophiles and carbonyl substitution by phosphine ligands they did react with atmospheric oxygen or carbon monoxide to give substantially different products. In all instances oxygen was incorporated either at the metal centre or at the C₂ fragment. High-pressure carbonylations yielded [Ru₃(μ-CO)₃(η-C₅H₅)₃(μ₃-C-C(O)O{Ru(CO)₂(η-C₅H₅)})] and [{Ru₂(μ-CO)(CO)₂(η-C₅H₄Me)₂}(μ₄-η²-CC){Ru(CO)(η-C₅H₄Me)Mo(η-C₅H₅)(=O)(μ-O)}], an ethane-1,2-bis(ylidene) complex, this exemplifying a relatively rare raft geometry which further reacted with Cl₂CCCl₂ to give [Mo₃(μ₄-C₂(Ru(CO)₂(η-C₅H₄Me))(CO)(μ-CO)(η-C₅H₅)₃(Cl)₂] having a similar geometry and undergone halogenation. In order to extend the extant examples of these raft clusters we explored the reaction of [{Ru(CO)₂(η-C₅H₄R)₂}₂(μ-C₂)] with [{Ru(CO)₂(η-C₅H₅)₂}₂] to provide a rational synthetic pathway leading to very reactive [Ru(μ₄-η²-CC)(μ₂-CO)₂(CO)₄(η-C₅H₄Me)₂(η-C₅H₄R)₂] rafts.     

Titanocene-based group-11 metal ions; solid-state structure of {[(η-C5H4SiMe3)2Ti(CCPh)2]2Ag}NO3

The reaction of [Ti](CCR)₂ {[Ti] = (η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃)₂Ti; 1a, R = Fc, Fc = (η⁵-C₅H₄)Fe(η⁵-C₅H₅); 1b, R = Ph} with MX {2a, MX = [Cu(NCCH₃)₄]BF₄; M = Ag; 2b, X = ClO₄; 2c, X = NO₃} in a 2:1 molar ratio produces the trinuclear heterobimetallic (Ti₂M) or heptanuclear heterotrimetallic (Ti₂MFe₄) complexes [{[Ti](μ-σ,π-CCR)₂}₂M]X (R = Fc: 3a, M = Cu, X = BF₄; 3b, M = Ag, X = ClO₄. R = Ph: 3c, M = Cu, X = BF₄; 3d, M = Ag, X = ClO₄: 3e, M = Ag, X = NO₃) in high yield. Complexes 3c-3e are also accessible, when {[Ti](μ-σ,π-CCPh)₂}MX (M = Cu: 4a, X = FBF₃; M = Ag: 4b, X = OClO₃; 4c, X = ONO₂) is reacted with one equivalent of 1b. Transferring this reaction scheme to [Ti](CCSiMe₃)₂ (1c) only the formation of the heterobimetallic tweezer complex {[Ti](μ-σ,π-CCSiMe₃)₂}MX {4d, MX = [Cu(NCCH₃)]BF₄; 4e, MX = AgOClO₃} is observed which is attributed to the bulkiness of the acetylide-bound Me₃Si group. The solid-state structure of 3e is reported. In 3e, two [Ti](CCPh)₂ tweezer moieties are chelate-bound by their carbon-carbon triple bonds to a silver(I) ion, resulting in a pseudo-tetrahedral environment at the group-11 metal. is acting as counter-ion to cationic [{[Ti](CCPh)₂}₂Ag]⁺.Additionally, the result of cyclic voltammetric studies on [{[Ti](μ-σ,π-CCPh)₂}₂Cu]BF₄ (3c) is reported.     

Allyl complexes of molybdenum with Schiff base ligands. The crystal structures of [MoCl(CO)2{N(C6H4-2-OMe)C(Me)C5H4N}(η-C3H5)] and [MoCl(CO)2{N(Me)C(Ph)C5H4N}(η-C3H5)] are described

Treatment of the molybdenum tetracarbonyl complexes of [Mo(CO)₄L₂] (L₂=pyridyl amine Schiff base ligands) with allyl chloride in refluxing THF afforded η³-allyl complexes [MoCl(CO)₂L₂(η³-allyl)] (1-9). These complexes have been characterised by various techniques including ¹H-NMR, IR and FABMS spectroscopies and the single crystal X-ray structure determinations of the complexes [MoCl(CO)₂{N(C₆H₄-2-OMe)C(Me)C₅H₄N}(η³-C₃H₅)] (3) and [MoCl(CO)₂{N(Me)C(Ph)C₅H₄N}(η³-C₃H₅)] (4).     

Palladium (II) complexes with mono-oxide 1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)metallocene ligands [Fe(η-C5Me4PPh2)(η-C5Me4P{O}Ph2)] and [Os(η-C5H4PPh2)(η-C5H4P{O}Ph2)]

The monoxides [Fe(η⁵-C₅Me₄PPh₂)(η⁵-C₅Me₄P{O}Ph₂)] (1) and [Os(η⁵-C₅H₄PPh₂)(η⁵-C₅H₄P{O}Ph₂)] (2) have been prepared by treatment of the corresponding diphosphines with CCl₄ and methanol.These ligands react with [Pd(PhCN)₂Cl₂] to give dichloride complexes of different structure.The dimeric complex [{Os(η⁵-C₅H₄PPh₂)(η⁵-C₅H₄P{O}Ph₂)}PdCl(μ-Cl)]₂ (4) contains the monodentate P-coordinated osmocene ligand with the free P{O}Ph₂ group, while the octamethylferrocene ligand gives the chelate k²-P,O complex [{Fe(η⁵-C₅Me₄PPh₂)(η⁵-C₅Me₄P{O}Ph₂)}PdCl₂] (3).The structures of 3 and 4 have been determined crystallographically.Treatment of 3 and 4 with silver salts in CH₂Cl₂ or acetonitrile leads to the corresponding dicationic complexes[{M(η⁵-C₅R₄PPh₂)(η⁵-C₅R₄P{O}Ph₂)}Pd(MeCN)_x]²⁺ (5, M = Fe, R = Me; 6, M = Os, R = H). Complex 5 decomposes upon isolation, in contrast 6 is rather stable, probably due to Os-Pd bonding. The dichlorides 3 and 4 catalyze catalytic amination of p-bromotoluene with N-(4-tolyl)morpholine with lower activity than (dppf)PdCl₂, however they perform comparable to (dppf)PdCl₂ activity in coupling of p-bromotoluene with p-methoxyphenyl boronic acid.     

Mono- and binuclear bipyridyl derivatives of the Mo(η-C3H5)(CO)2 fragment: structural studies and fluxionality in solution

New mono- and binuclear complexes of the Mo(η³-C₃H₅)(CO)₂ fragment, containing bipyridyl ligands (2,2′-bpy, 4,4′-Me₂-2,2′-bpy) as chelates, and mono- (4-CNpy, 4-Mepy, NCMe, Br) or bidentate nitrogen ligands (4,4′-bpy, bipyridylethylene, pyrazine) as terminal or bridging ligands, respectively, were prepared. The binuclear complex [{Mo(η³-C₃H₅)(CO)₂(2,2′-bpy)}₂(μ-4,4′-bpy)][PF₆]₂ (2) was shown by X-ray diffraction to assemble in the crystal forming large channels with a rectangular section. A longer bridge, such as bipyridylethylene, led to a different structure (3). 4-CNpy behaved as monodentate ligand (4), coordinating through the pyridine nitrogen as a terminal ligand. NMR spectroscopy studies showed that the complexes exhibited a fluxional behavior in solution, the endo and exo forms of the more symmetrical equatorial isomers being usually present and interconverting in solution. The solid state structures of the complexes revealed a preference for the more symmetrical equatorial isomer, with the two chelate ligands in trans positions in the binuclear species. The rings tended to become parallel in the organized crystal.     

Syntheses, structures, and dynamic properties of M(CO)2(η-C3H5)(en)(X) (M = Mo, W; X = Br, N3, CN) and [(en)(η-C3H5)(CO)2M(μ-CN)M(CO)2(η-C3H5)(en)]Br (M = Mo, W)

Mononuclear compounds M(CO)₂(η³-C₃H₅)(en)(X) (X = Br, M = Mo(1), W(2); X = N₃, M = Mo(3), W(4); X = CN, M = Mo(5), W(6)) and cyanide-bridged bimetallic compounds [(en)(η³-C₃H₅)(CO)₂M(μ-CN)M(CO)₂(η³-C₃H₅)(en)]Br (M = Mo (7), W(8)) were prepared and characterized. These compounds are fluxional and display broad unresolved proton NMR signals at room temperature. Compounds 1-6 were characterized by NMR spectroscopy at −60 °C, which revealed isomers in solution. The major isomers of 1-4 adopt an asymmetric endo-conformation, while those of 5 and 6 were both found to possess a symmetric endo-conformation. The single crystal X-ray structures of 1-6 are consistent with the structures of the major isomer in solution at low temperature. In contrast to mononuclear terminal cyanide compounds 5 and 6, cyanide-bridged compounds 7 and 8 were found to adopt the asymmetric endo-conformation in the solid state.     

Synthesis and structures of the silyl bridged bis(indenyl) diruthenium complexes and a novel indenyl nonanuclear ruthenium cluster Ru9(μ6-C)(CO)14(μ3-η:η:η-C9H7)2

Thermal treatment of C₉H₇SiMe₂C₉H₇ and C₉H₇Me₂SiOSiMe₂C₉H₇ with Ru₃(CO)₁₂ in refluxing xylene gave the corresponding diruthenium complexes (E)[(η⁵-C₉H₆)Ru(CO)]₂(μ-CO)₂ [E = Me₂Si (1), Me₂SiOSiMe₂ (2)]. A desilylation product [(η⁵-C₉H₇)Ru(CO)]₂(μ-CO)₂ (3) was also obtained in the latter case. Similar treatment of C₉H₇Me₂SiSiMe₂C₉H₇ with Ru₃(CO)₁₂ gave a novel indenyl nonanuclear ruthenium cluster Ru₉(μ₆-C)(CO)₁₄(μ₃-η⁵:η²:η²-C₉H₇)₂ (5) with carbon-centered tricapped trigonal prism geometry, in addition to the diruthenium complex (Me₂SiSiMe₂)[(η⁵-C₉H₆)Ru(CO)]₂(μ-CO)₂ (4) and the desilylation product 3. Complex 4 can undergo a thermal rearrangement to form the product [(Me₂Si)(η⁵-C₉H₆)Ru(CO)₂]₂ (6). The molecular structures of 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6 were determined by X-ray diffraction.     

Synthesis and reactivity of asymmetrically substituted ansa-bridged zirconocene complexes: X-ray crystal structures of [Zr{R(H)C(η-C5Me4)(η-C5H4)}Cl2] (R = Bu, Bu) and [Zr{Bu(H)C(η-C5Me4)(η-C5H4)}(CH2Ph)2]

The dialkyl complexes, (R = Prⁱ, R′ = Me (2a), CH₂Ph (3a); R = Buⁿ, R′ = Me (2b), CH₂Ph (3b); R = Bu^t, R′ = Me (2c), CH₂Ph (3c); R = Ph, R′ = Me (2d), CH₂Ph (3d)), have been synthesized by the reaction of the ansa-metallocene dichloride complex, [Zr{R(H)C(η⁵-C₅Me₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)}Cl₂] (R = Prⁱ (1a), Buⁿ (1b), Bu^t (1c), Ph (1d)), and two molar equivalents of the alkyl Gringard reagent. The insertion reaction of the isocyanide reagent, CNC₆H₃Me₂-2,6, into the zirconium-carbon σ-bond of 2 gave the corresponding η²-iminoacyl derivatives, [Zr{R(H)C(η⁵-C₅Me₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)}{η²-MeCNC₆H₃Me₂-2,6}Me] (R = Prⁱ (4a), Buⁿ (4b), Bu^t (4c), Ph (4d)). The molecular structures of 1b, 1c and 3b have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies.