Tribenzyl{eta(5)-[2-(p-tolyl)prop-2-yl]cyclopentadienyl} zirconium

The title compound, [Zr(C7H7)(3)(C15H17)], (I), crystallizes from light pet roleum with two independent molecules in the asymmetric unit. Whereas in th e parent molecule, Zr(eta(5)-C5H5)(CH2Ph)(3), all three Zr-CH2Ph angles are equal, in (I), they differ significantly. In spite of their different envi ronments, both independent molecules in (I) exhibit a small, an expected, a nd a large Zr-CH2 Ph angle. The angles are similar to those of the closely related tribenzyl[eta(5)-(benzyldimethylsilyl)cyclopentadienyl]zirconium co mplex. The smallest Zr-CH2Ph angle and the consequently relatively short Zr ... C-ipso distance are indicative of eta(2)-bonding of the benzyl group.