Carbon-fluorine bond cleavage by zirconium metal hydride complexes

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/om9902481

The zirconium hydride dimer [Cp₂ZH₂]₂ reacts with C₆F₆ at ambient temperature to give Cp₂Zr(C₆F₅)F as the major product along with Cp₂ZrF₂, C

Full text of DOI:10.1021/om9902481

3170
Organometallics 1999, 18, 3170-3177
Ca r bon -F lu or in e Bon d Clea va ge by Zir con iu m Meta l
Hyd r id e Com p lexes
Brian L. Edelbach, A. K. Fazlur Rahman, Rene J . Lachicotte, and
William D. J ones*
Department of Chemistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14627
Received April 8, 1999
The zirconium hydride dimer [Cp2ZrH2]2 reacts with C6F6 at ambient temperature to give
Cp2Zr(C6F5)F as the major product along with Cp2ZrF2, C6F5H and H2. Neither the reaction
rate nor the product ratio is affected by changes in H2 pressure or the concentration of C6F6.
The reaction follows zero-order kinetics. The new compound Cp2Zr(C6F5)F has been
structurally characterized. [Cp2ZrH2]2 reacts with C6F5H to give Cp2Zr(p-C6F4H)F, Cp2ZrF2,
C6F4H2, and H2. The zirconium hydride Cp3ZrH has been structurally characterized and
also reacts with C6F6. The products of the reaction are CpH, Cp2Zr(C6F5)F, C6F5H, Cp2ZrF2,
Cp4Zr, and Cp3ZrF. The reaction rate is first order in [Cp3ZrH] and [C6F6], but the product
ratio is unaffected by the concentration of C6F6. Possible mechanisms of these reactions are
discussed.
In tr od u ction
have been demonstrated for some of these com-
pounds.10-12 Examples of early transition metal com-
plexes that cleave C-F bonds are more rare, perhaps
due to the electrophilic nature of the complexes.13-16
Recently, Kiplinger and Richmond provided the first
example of selective room-temperature hydrogenolysis
of aromatic C-F bonds by homogeneous early transition
metal metallocenes.17 They have shown that octafluo-
ronaphthalene reacts with Cp2ZrCl2 in THF with Mg
as the terminal reductant to give 1,3,4,5,6,7,8-hep-
tafluoronaphthalene in quantitative yield (eq 1). The
C-F bond activation step was proposed to occur via
oxidative addition to the transient low-valent zir-
conocene fragment [Cp2Zr]. They have also reported the
use of reduced titanocene and zirconocene complexes as
catalysts for the aromatization of cyclic perfluorocarbons
at room temperature (eq 2).18
The use of transition metal complexes to cleave strong
carbon-fluorine bonds has blossomed in the past sev-
eral years.1-21 Many late transition metal complexes
with electron-donating ligands are believed to undergo
oxidative addition to the C-F bond of a fluorinated
aromatic group.4-9 Catalytic processes for C-F cleavage
(1) Kiplinger, J . L.; Richmond, T. G. Osterberg, C. E. Chem. Rev.
1994, 94, 373. Murphy, E. F.; Murugavel, R.; Roesky, H. W. Chem.
Rev. 1997, 97, 3425.
(2) Burdeniuc, J .; J edlicka, B.; Crabtree, R. H. Chem.Ber./ Recl.
1997, 130, 145.
(3) Richmond, T. G. In Topics in Organometallic Chemistry, Activa-
tion of Unreactive Bonds and Organic Synthesis; Springer-Verlag: New
York, 1999; Vol. 3, pp 243-269.
(4) Belt, S. T.; Helliwell, M.; J ones, W. D.; Partridge, M. G.; Perutz,
R. N. J . Am. Chem. Soc. 1993, 115, 1429.
(5) J ones, W. D.; Partridge, M. G.; Perutz, R. N. J . Chem. Soc., Chem.
Commun. 1991, 264.
(6) Hofmann, P.; Unfried, G. Chem. Ber. 1992, 125, 659.
(7) Lucht, B. L.; Poss, M. J .; King, M. A.; Richmond, T. G. J . Chem.
Soc., Chem. Commun. 1991, 400.
(8) Crespo, M.; Martinez, M.; Sales, J . J . Chem. Soc., Chem.
Commun. 1992, 822.
(9) Cronin, L.; Higgitt, C. L.; Karch, R.; Perutz, R. N. Organome-
tallics 1997, 16, 4920.
(10) Kiplinger, J . L.; Richmond, T. G. J . Am. Chem. Soc. 1996, 118,
1805.
(11) Aizenberg, M.; Milstein, D. J . Am. Chem. Soc. 1995, 117, 8674.
(12) Aizenberg, M.; Milstein, D. Science 1994, 265, 359.
(13) Burns, C. J .; Andersen, R. A. J . Chem. Soc., Chem. Commun.
1989, 136.
(14) Watson, P. L.; Tulip, T. H.; Williams, I. Organometallics 1990,
9, 1999.
(15) Weydert, M.; Andersen, R. A.; Bergman, R. G. J . Am. Chem.
Soc. 1993, 115, 8837.
(16) Burk, M. J .; Staley, D. L.; Tumas, W. J . Chem. Soc., Chem.
Commun. 1990, 809.
(17) Kiplinger, J . L.; Richmond, T. G. J . Am. Chem. Soc. Chem. 1996,
118, 1805.
(18) Kiplinger, J . L.; Richmond, T. G. J . Chem. Soc. Commun. 1996,
1115.
(19) Whittlesey, M. K.; Perutz, R. N.; Moore, M. H. Chem. Commun.
1997, 119, 7734.
(20) Edelbach, B. L.; J ones, W. D. J . Am. Chem. Soc. 1997, 119,
7734.
(21) Hughes, R. P.; Lindner, D. C.; Rheingold, A. L.; Liable-Sands,
L. M. J . Am. Chem. Soc. 1997, 119, 11544.
Several prior studies have demonstrated that transi-
tion metal hydrides are active for C-F bond cleavage,
either by electron transfer19 or nucleophilic aromatic
substitution pathways.20 We have found that the reac-
tion of [Cp2ZrH2]2 or Cp3ZrH with perfluorobenzene
leads to the formation of the C-F activation product
Cp2Zr(C6F5)F, 1, as well as Cp2ZrF2 and C6F5H. Evi-
dence is presented that suggests that the C-F cleavage
10.1021/om9902481 CCC: $18.00 © 1999 American Chemical Society
Publication on Web 07/17/1999

Carbon-Fluorine Bond Cleavage
Organometallics, Vol. 18, No. 16, 1999 3171
occurs via a σ-bond metathesis pathway and by way of
oxidative addition to [Cp2Zr].
Resu lts
Th er m a l Rea ction s of [Cp 2Zr H2]2 w ith P olyflu -
or in a ted Ar en es. The thermolysis of [Cp2ZrH2]2 with
12 equiv of C6F6 at 65 °C in THF solution leads to the
rapid formation (∼1 min) of the C-F activated product
Cp2Zr(C6F5)F, 1, as the major product (80%) as well as
smaller quantities of Cp2ZrF2, C6F5H, and H2. The
compound [Cp2ZrH2]2 is only sparingly soluble in THF,
but its solution NMR spectrum has been reported and
is consistent with a [Cp2Zr(H)(µ-H)]2 structure.22 The
amount of hydrogen released in the reaction was not
F igu r e 1. ORTEP drawing of 1 showing 30% probability
ellipsoids.
1
quantified, but H2 is clearly seen in a H NMR spectrum
The effect of solvent on the reaction rate and ratio of
products was tested by performing the same reaction
in p-xylene-d10, CD2Cl2, and pyridine-d5. The reaction
in p-xylene-d10 gave the same product ratios as that in
THF; however the rate is approximately one-tenth as
fast. The reaction in CD2Cl2 gives Cp2ZrCl2 as the main
organometallic complex. No 1, C6F5H, or Cp2ZrF2 is
observed. When the reaction is run in pyridine, the
product ratio is 7.4:1:1.4 for 1, C6F5H, and Cp2ZrF2,
respectively. A large broad singlet at δ 102 was also
observed but not identified (we determined it was not
pyridine‚HF by adding 1 µL of pyridinium poly(hydro-
gen fluoride) (∼30% pyridine/70% hydrogen fluoride) to
an NMR tube containing 0.5 mL of pyridine).
Free radical intermediates can be virtually ruled out
in these reactions. When the thermal reaction of [Cp2-
ZrH2]2 with C6F6 was carried out in the presence of the
radical trap 9,10-dihydroanthracene (10 equiv) in THF,
the rate of reaction and product ratios were not affected.
The same results were observed when the reaction was
run in neat isopropylbenzene as trap and the reaction
monitored by 19F NMR spectroscopy. Also, the use of
[Cp2ZrH2]2 prepared from the reaction of Cp2ZrMe2 with
H2 produced identical product distributions.
The rate and ratio of product formation shown in eq
3 is unaffected by the pressure of H2 (0 vs 4 atm of H2)
or the concentration of C6F6. When the reaction is
performed in a sealed NMR tube at room temperature
with varying concentrations of C6F6 (0.88, 1.78, and 2.68
M), the appearance of 1 follows zero-order kinetics
(Figure 2). That is, a plot of [1] vs time is linear,
suggesting that the rate is limited by the rate of
dissolving of [Cp2ZrH2]2 or that the solution is saturated
in [Cp2ZrH2]2 and the rate is determined by the rate of
cleavage of [Cp2ZrH2]2 into Cp2ZrH2. The rate of disap-
pearance of [Cp2ZrH2]2 was seen to depend on the rate
of stirring. An unstirred sample of [Cp2ZrH2]2 containing
C6F6 reacts much more slowly than a stirred sample
containing the same concentration of C6F6 (Figure 2),
indicating that mass transport is rate limiting.
Various zirconocene, [Cp2Zr], synthons were reacted
with C6F6 to determine if formal oxidative addition of
[Cp2Zr] to the aromatic carbon-fluorine bond to form
complex 1 was viable. The complexes Cp2Zr(CH2dCHEt)
and Cp2Zr(CH2dCH2) generated in situ from Cp2ZrBu2
and Cp2ZrEt2, respectively, are known to act as [Cp2-
Zr] equivalents.25 Recently, it has been demonstrated
of the reaction solution at δ 4.54 (THF-d8). Good mass
balance is observed in accordance with the reaction
shown in eq 3. When the reaction is monitored at room
temperature, the product ratios are identical to those
at 65 °C, and the product ratio is constant throughout
the course of the reaction. The thermolysis of [Cp2ZrD2]2
with C6F6 at 65 °C in THF solution leads to compound
1, C6F5D (as identified by 19F NMR spectroscopy and
GC/MS), and Cp2ZrF2 in a ratio of 3.5:2.0:1, respectively.
The evolution of a gas (presumably D2) was also
observed during the course of the reaction.
1
The H NMR spectrum of 1 in THF-d8 was character-
ized by a single Cp resonance at δ 6.405. The 19F NMR
spectrum exhibits a downfield resonance at δ 168.2
corresponding to the zirconium-bound fluoride as well
as three distinct upfield resonances in a 2:1:2 ratio at δ
-49.3, -93.8, and -98.8, which correspond to the ortho,
para, and meta aromatic fluorine resonances, respec-
tively. The meta fluorine resonance is broad, whereas
the para and ortho resonances are sharp. The presence
of only three aromatic fluorine resonances indicates
rapid rotation around the Zr-aryl bond on the NMR
time scale at room temperature. A 19F NMR spectrum
of 1 at -50 °C exhibits five distinct resonances. The
coalescence temperature for both the ortho and meta
fluorines is approximately -15 °C. The rate constant
at coalescence is 600 s-1 for both types of fluorine,
corresponding to a barrier to rotation of approximately
11.8 kcal/mol.
A single-crystal X-ray structure of 1 is shown in
Figure 1. The complex displays the expected geometry
with the C6F5 group in the equatorial plane of the Cp2-
Zr fragment. The Zr-F bond length of 1.946(2) Å is
similar to that seen in Cp2ZrF2 (1.98 Å).23 The Zr-C
bond distance of 2.346 Å compares with that of 2.329 Å
seen in the only other structurally characterized per-
fluorophenyl zirconium complex, [{(Cp)[η-CPh{N(Si-
Me3)}2](C6F5)}Zr{µ-MeB(C6F5)3}].24
(22) Bickley, D. G.; Hao, N.; Bougeard, P.; Sayer, B. G.; Burns, R.
C.; McGlinchey, M. J . J . Organomet. Chem. 1983, 246, 257.
(23) Bush, M. A.; Sim, G. A. J . Chem. Soc. (A) 1971, 2225.
(24) Gomez, R.; Green, M. L. H.; Haggitt, J . L. J . Chem. Soc., Chem.
Commun. 1994, 2607.
(25) Negishi, E.; Takahaski, T. Bull. Chem. Soc. J pn. 1998, 755,
5-769, and references therein.

3172 Organometallics, Vol. 18, No. 16, 1999
Edelbach et al.
reaction, it must rapidly conproportionate to give Cp2-
ZrF2 and Cp2ZrH2.
Str u ctu r e of Cp 3Zr H. The synthesis of the complex
Cp3ZrH (2) was reported in 1981 by the reaction of Cp4-
Zr and LiAlH4.27 Andersen has also reported an im-
proved synthesis of the complex by reaction of Cp4Zr
with t-BuLi.28 This complex might formally be as-
signed a 20 e- configuration should all Cp rings be η5-
coordinate, but it has been pointed out that the lack of
a metal orbital with a2′ symmetry prevents bonding with
the corresponding group orbital on the three cyclopen-
tadienyl ligands, so that one pair of electrons from the
Cp3 donor set cannot be included in the metal’s elec-
tronic configuration.29 While no X-ray structure for 2
has been reported, IR studies indicated that all three
Cp ligands were η5-coordinated.30
We have found that colorless 2 crystallizes in trigonal
space group P63/m with Z ) 2, consistent with a
molecule of 2 being disordered on a 3/m ()6h) center.
Solution and initial refinement of the Cp3Zr portion of
the molecule showed residual electron density that could
be associated with the hydride ligand approximately 2
Å from the Zr on the 3/m center. Furthermore, the
anisotropic thermal ellipsoid for the Zr showed substan-
tial elongation along the 3-fold axis. A different model
was introduced in which half of a Zr was introduced 0.3
Å away from the mirror plane but on the 3-fold axis.
The improved refinement along with the isotropic ap-
pearance of the Zr thermal ellipsoid indicated that this
model was superior. Furthermore, the hydride ligand
could now be refined, also disordered over either side
of the mirror plane. In the final model, the positions
and thermal parameters of all atoms were refined, with
the hydrogen atoms being refined isotropically. The Zr
lies 0.20 Å away from the mirror plane, and the Zr-H
distance is 1.72(10) Å. Other Cp3ZrX molecules that
have been structurally characterized also show Zr to be
away from the plane of the three Cp centroids.31
F igu r e 2. Graph of appearance of Cp2Zr(C6F5)F vs time
(min): b ) 0.88 M C6F6 with stirring, 9 ) 1.78 M C6F6
with stirring, [ ) 2.68 M C6F6 with stirring, 2 ) 1.78 M
C6F6 without stirring.
that the complex Cp2Zr(Me3SiCtCSiMe3)(THF) can also
serve as a [Cp2Zr] equivalent.26 Reaction of any of these
complexes with C6F6 in THF-d8 leads to decomposition
rather than formation of 1.
The thermal reaction of [Cp2ZrH2]2 with 12 equiv of
C6F5H at 65 °C in THF solution leads to the formation
of the C-F activation product Cp2Zr(p-C6F4H)F as the
major product as well as Cp2ZrF2, C6F4H2, and H2 in
the same ratios as observed in the reaction with C6F6.
The complex Cp2Zr(C6F5)H, arising from C-H activa-
tion of C6F5H, was not observed. The 1H NMR spectrum
of Cp2Zr(p-C6F4H)F was characterized by a single Cp
resonance at δ 6.40 in THF-d8, as well as an aromatic
resonance at δ 7.027 (tt, J H-F ) 9.4, 7.1 Hz). The triplet
of triplets pattern is consistent with a hydrogen coupling
to two ortho and two meta fluorines, indicating that
C-F activation occurred exclusively para to the hydro-
gen in C6F5H. The 19F NMR spectrum exhibits a
downfield resonance at δ 166.2 corresponding to the
zirconium-bound fluoride as well as two broad upfield
resonances in a 1:1 ratio at δ -51.6, -76.3, which
correspond to the ortho and meta aromatic fluorines,
respectively. The presence of only two aromatic fluorine
resonances indicates rapid rotation around the Zr-aryl
bond on the NMR time scale at room temperature. A
19F NMR spectrum of Cp2Zr(p-C6F4H)F at -70 °C
exhibits four distinct resonances. The coalescence tem-
perature is approximately -15 °C for the meta fluorine
and approximately -30 °C for the ortho fluorines. The
rate constants at coalescence are 476 and 184 s-1 for
the meta fluorine and ortho fluorines, respectively,
which correspond to a barrier to rotation of approxi-
mately 11.4 kcal/mol.
Andersen has reported the synthesis and structure
of the related ZrIII species, Cp3Zr.28 Crystals of this d1
complex are brown, and the molecule crystallizes in the
same space group as 2. Furthermore, the coordinates
reported for Cp3Zr are virtually identical to those found
for 2, with one important difference in the refinement.
The model placed the zirconium at the 3/m center, on
the mirror plane. The thermal ellipsoid for Zr is
elongated along the 3-fold axis, but only slightly.
Consequently, it appears that the Cp3Zr core of 2 is
isomorphous and nearly isostructural with Cp3Zr. When
the model for 2 was modified to place the Zr on the
(27) Brainina, E. M.; Strunkina, L. I.; Lokshin, B. V.; Ezernitskaya,
M. G. Izv. Akad. Nauk SSSR, Ser. Khim. 1981, 447.
(28) Lukens, W. W.; Andersen, R. A. Organometallics 1995, 14, 3435.
(29) (a) Bursten, B. E.; Rhodes, L. F.; Strittmatter, R. J . J . Am.
Chem. Soc. 1989, 111, 2756. (b) Strittmatter, R. J .; Bursten, B. E. J .
Am. Chem. Soc. 1991, 113, 552. (c) Lauher, J . W.; Hoffman, R. J . Am.
Chem. Soc. 1976, 98, 1729.
(30) Lokshin, B. V.; Klemenkova, Z. S.; Ezernitskaya, M. G.;
Strunkina, L. I.; Brainina, E. M. J . Organomet. Chem. 1982, 235, 69.
(31) (a) Brackemeyer, T.; Erker, G.; Frohlich, R. Organometallics
1997, 16, 531. (b) Rogers, R. D.; Bynum, R. V.; Atwood, J . L. J . Am.
Chem. Soc. 1978, 100, 5238. (c) Ushioda, T.; Green, M. L. H.; Haggitt,
J .; Yan, X. J . Organomet. Chem. 1996, 518, 155. (d) Kulishov, V. I.;
Bokii, N. G.; Struchkov, Y. T. Zh. Strukt. Khim. 1970, 11, 700. (e) Kopf,
J .; Vollmer, H. J .; Kaminsky, W. Cryst. Struct. Commun. 1980, 9, 985.
(f) Diamond, G. M.; Green, M. L. H.; Popham, N. A.; Chernega, A. N.
J . Chem. Soc., Dalton Trans. 1993, 2535. (g) Brackemeyer, T.; Erker,
G.; Frohlich, R.; Prigge, U.; Peuchert, U. Chem. Ber. 1997, 130, 899.
In an attempt to synthesize possible intermediates,
such as Cp2ZrHF, pyridinium poly(hydrogen fluoride)
was added to [Cp2ZrH2]2 in THF. The addition of 2 equiv
of pyridinium poly(hydrogen fluoride) per Zr atom leads
to quantitative formation of Cp2ZrF2 (hydrogen gas was
also observed). Addition of 1 equiv of pyridinium poly-
(hydrogen fluoride) per Zr atom also leads to Cp2ZrF2,
with unreacted [Cp2ZrH2]2 remaining in the reaction
flask. Although Cp2ZrHF is a likely intermediate in this
(26) Ohff, A.; Pulst, S.; Lefeber, C.; Peulecke, N.; Arndt, P.; Burlakov,
V. V.; Rosenthal, U. Synlett. 1996, 111.

Carbon-Fluorine Bond Cleavage
Organometallics, Vol. 18, No. 16, 1999 3173
mirror plane and the hydride omitted (as if it were Cp3-
Zr), refinement showed a severely elongated thermal
ellipsoid for Zr, indicating the incorrectness of this
model (see Supporting Information).
Th er m a l Rea ction s of Cp 3Zr H w ith C6F 6. The
complex Cp3ZrH, 2, is also capable of cleaving the C-F
bond of C6F6 at room temperature. The major products
of the reaction are 1 and CpH, formed in equimolar
quantities, which account for 55% of the total yield
based upon Cp3ZrH. Minor products observed include
Cp2ZrF2 (14%), Cp4Zr (11%), C6F5H (38%), and the new
compound Cp3ZrF (11%). The rate of the reaction
showed a first-order dependence on the concentration
of C6F6. As in the reaction of [Cp2ZrH2]2, the product
ratio is unaffected by the concentration of C6F6 or by
addition of CpH.
F igu r e 3. ORTEP drawing of 2 showing 30% probability
ellipsoids. Cp-hydrogens have been omitted for clarity.
The complex assigned as Cp3ZrF can be produced
independently by addition of 0.5 equiv of pyridinium
poly(hydrogen fluoride) to Cp4Zr. Free cyclopentadiene,
Cp3ZrF, and Cp2ZrF2 are formed, the latter two in a
1.8:1 ratio. The new compound Cp3ZrF was character-
1
ized by H and 19F NMR spectroscopy, as well as mass
spectroscopy. The 1H NMR spectrum of Cp3ZrF in THF-
d8 consists of a single Cp resonance at δ 6.099, and the
19F NMR spectrum exhibits one distinct resonance at δ
25.5. Direct inlet MS shows a peak at m/e 304 for M+,
as well as fragments at 285 (M+ - F) and 239 (M+
Cp, 100%).
-
F igu r e 4. Possible transition state for C-F activation.
Previously, we reported that the addition of fluoride
(via tetrabutylammonium fluoride, TBAF) to a solution
containing (C5Me5)Rh(PMe3)H2 and C6F6 greatly ac-
celerated the formation (C5Me5)Rh(PMe3)(C6F5)H.20 It
was demonstrated that fluoride acted as a base by
deprotonating (C5Me5)Rh(PMe3)H2 to give [(C5Me5)-
Rh(PMe3)H]-, which undergoes nucleophilic aromatic
substitution with C6F6 to give (C5Me5)Rh(PMe3)(C6F5)H.
An analogous reaction was performed by adding TBAF
(∼1.4 equiv) to a solution containing Cp3ZrH and C6F6.
No rate acceleration was observed, and the main
product in the reaction was Cp2ZrF2.
Sch em e 1. P ossible Mech a n ism s for th e Rea ction
of [Cp 2Zr H2]2 w ith C6F 6
Discu ssion
Mech a n istic Con sid er a tion s for th e Rea ction of
[Cp 2Zr H2]2 w ith C6F 6. One possible mechanism for the
formation of the products depicted in eq 3 is a concerted
σ-bond metathesis in which the arylF carbon of C6F6
bonds to the zirconium and the fluorine bonds to the
hydride (Figure 4). The products of this reaction are Cp2-
Zr(C6F5)H and HF. Hydrogen fluoride could then pro-
tonate the Zr-H bond of Cp2Zr(C6F5)H to give 1 and
H2 or protonate the Zr-C6F5 bond to give Cp2ZrHF and
C6F5H. The complex Cp2ZrHF conproportionates to give
Cp2ZrF2 and Cp2ZrH2. While this mechanism accounts
for all of the observed products, it has several draw-
backs. First, given the crowded environment shown in
Figure 4 and the strong fluorophilicity of zirconium,
metathesis in the opposite direction should be favored
(vide infra). Second, the addition of Proton-Sponge32 had
no affect on the rate or the products formed in the
reaction, and no pyridinium HF was observed when the
reaction was run in pyridine. Both of these observations
suggest that HF is not formed during the course of the
reaction.
Two other mechanistic pathways are depicted in
Scheme 1. Both paths involve initial dimer cleavage to
monomer. In path A this is followed by loss of H2 from
the monomer to give [Cp2Zr], which then undergoes a
formal oxidative addition to C6F6 to give compound 1.
To our knowledge, thermal reductive elimination of H2
(32) Proton Sponge is a trademark name for [1,8-bis(dimethyl-
amino)naphthalene, N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyl-1,8-naphthalenediamine],
C
10H6[N(CH3)2]2.

3174 Organometallics, Vol. 18, No. 16, 1999
Edelbach et al.
Sch em e 2. P ossible Mech a n ism s for th e Rea ction
of Cp 3Zr H w ith C6F 6
from Cp2ZrH2 has not been reported. Path A can be
ruled out as the exclusive pathway since it does not
account for the formation of C6F5H or Cp2ZrF2. Path A
can also be ruled out as a competing pathway for the
formation of 1 based on the following argument. Neither
the pressure of H2 nor the concentration of C6F6 had
an effect on the product ratios. If path A is contributing
to the formation of 1, the product ratio should change
with changes in H2 pressure (if reaction of [Cp2Zr] with
C6F6 is rate determining in path A) or with changes in
the concentration of C6F6 (if loss of H2 from Cp2ZrH2 is
rate determining in path A). The fact that no effect upon
product ratio was observed with changes in the amount
of H2 or C6F6 present appears to rule out path A
altogether.
In path B an interaction is depicted between the
fluorophilic Zr(IV) center on Cp2ZrH2 and a fluorine on
C6F6 to give complex 4 (Scheme 1). The interaction of
aromatic C-F bonds with bis(cyclopentadienyl) Zr(IV)
type species has been reported,33 and several of these
complexes have been characterized by X-ray crystallog-
raphy.33b,c,d Erker et al. have estimated the C-F- - -Zr
bond dissociation energy in the (CH3C5H4)2Zr(µ-C4H6)B-
(C6F5)3 betaine complex at approximately 8-9 kcal/
mol.33c In the reaction of Cp2ZrH2 and C6F6 this inter-
action results in two possible reactivity patterns. First,
the Zr- - -F-(C6F5) association may result in an as-
sociatively induced reductive elimination of H2 from Cp2-
ZrH2 to give [Cp2Zr- - -F-(C6F5)], which then undergoes
a formal oxidative addition to C6F6 to give compound 1.
In a similar pathway, Schwartz et al. have shown that
reductive elimination of methane from Cp2Zr(Me)(H)
involves initial coordination of a 2e donor ligand.34 Other
examples involving ligand-induced reductive elimina-
tion from late transition metals have also been re-
ported.35 In a second competing pathway, a concerted
σ-bond metathesis occurs, resulting in the formation of
C6F5H and Cp2ZrHF, which conproportionates to give
Cp2ZrF2 and Cp2ZrH2 (Scheme 1). Metathesis in this
direction is facilitated by attack of the hydridic proton
on the aromatic carbon of C6F6 and by the strong
fluorophilicity of zirconium. The nucleophilicity of the
hydrogens on Cp2ZrH2 has been well established,36 and
nucleophilic attack on polyfluorinated aromatic rings is
well documented. This later reaction sequence accounts
for the fact that only 0.5 mol of Cp2ZrF2 is observed for
every mole of C6F5H produced. Finally, the small
observed isotope effect suggests that Zr-H(D) bond
cleavage is occurring before or during the rate-deter-
mining step.
One might argue against the mechanism depicted in
path B based on the observation that all of the [Cp2Zr]
synthons employed failed to give compound 1. However,
a detailed study on the chemistry of the Cp2ZrCl2/2
n-BuLi system has demonstrated that the thermal
decomposition of the resulting dibutylzirconocene re-
sults in a myriad of intermediates and casts doubt that
this system or other related systems truly lead to a
simple [Cp2Zr] synthon.37
Mech a n istic Con sid er a tion s for th e Rea ction of
Cp 3Zr H w ith C6F 6. Two mechanisms for the reaction
of Cp3ZrH with C6F6 are outlined in Scheme 2. Both are
analogous to those presented in the [Cp2ZrH2]2 system.
Path A involves reversible reductive elimination of free
CpH to give the putative 14-electron [Cp2Zr] fragment,
which cleaves the C-F bond of C6F6 to give compound
1. Path A is again ruled out due to lack of change in
product ratio with changes in C6F6 concentration or
addition of CpH.
Path B depicts a C-F- - -Zr interaction between C6F6
and Cp3ZrH, as suggested above. This interaction may
lead to an associatively induced reductive elimination
of CpH and C-F bond activation of C6F6 by the [Cp2-
Zr- - -F-(C6F5)] intermediate to give complex 1. This
pathway accounts for the 1:1 ratio of CpH to 1 observed
in the overall reaction. The same interaction may also
lead to a σ-bond metathesis between Cp3ZrH and C6F6
to give C6F5H and Cp3ZrF. This pathway should result
in a 1:1 ratio of C6F5H to Cp3ZrF. In contrast, the
observed ratio of C6F5H to Cp3ZrF is ∼2.7:1. The
deficiency of Cp3ZrF can be accounted for by the
observation of the small quantities of Cp2ZrF2 and Cp4-
Zr, in terms of mass balance. Path B is also consistent
with the observed first-order decay of Cp3ZrH in the
reaction with C6F6, assuming the reaction of Cp3ZrH
with C6F6 is the slow step. Reaction of 2 with C6F6 in
the presence of 0.79 M cumene gives an almost identical
mixture of products, ruling out radical processes.
(33) (a) Horton, A. D.; Orpen, A. G. Organometallics 1991, 10, 3910.
(b) Yang, X.; Stern, C. L.; Marks, T. J . J . Am. Chem. Soc. 1994, 116,
10015. (c) Karl, J .; Erker, G.; Frohlich, R. J . Am. Chem. Soc. 1997,
119, 11165. (d) Dahlmann, M.; Erker, G.; Nissinen, M.; Fro¨hlich, R. J .
Am. Chem. Soc. 1999, 121, 2820. (e) Watson, P. L.; Tulip, T. H.;
Williams, I. Organometallics 1990, 9, 1999. (f) Lancaster, S. J .;
Thornton-Pett, M.; Dawson, D. M.; Bochmann, M. Organometallics
1998, 17, 3829.
(34) (a) Gell, K. I.; Schwartz, J . J . J . Am. Chem. Soc. 1978, 100,
3246. (b) Gell, K. I.; Schwartz, J . J . J . Am. Chem. Soc. 1981, 103, 2687.
(35) (a) Abis, L.; Sen, A.; Halpern, J . J . Am. Chem. Soc. 1978, 100,
2915. (b) J ones, W. D.; Hessell, E. T. J . Am. Chem. Soc. 1992, 114,
6087. (c) Yamamoto, T.; Abla, M. J . Organomet. Chem. 1997, 535, 209.
(d) Wick, D. D.; Reynolds, K. A.; J ones, W. D. J . Am. Chem. Soc. 1999,
121, 3974.
(36) (a) Labinger, J . A.; Komadina, J . H. J . Organomet. Chen. 1978,
155, C25. (b) Labinger, J . A. In Transition Metal Hydrides; Dedieu,
A., Ed.; VCH: New York, 1992; Chapter 10.
(37) Dioumaev, V. K.; Harrod, J . F. Organometallics 1997, 16, 1452.

Carbon-Fluorine Bond Cleavage
Organometallics, Vol. 18, No. 16, 1999 3175
Within a few minutes vigorous gas evolution was observed and
the suspension of [Cp2ZrH2]2 disappeared to give a clear
colorless solution. The solvent, excess C6F6, C6F5H, and H2
were removed under vacuum to give a white powder (412 mg).
Con clu sion s
The zirconium hydrides [Cp2ZrH2]2 and Cp3ZrH react
with C6F6 to give the C-F activation product Cp2Zr-
(C6F5)F. Mechanistic studies are consistent with an
initial association between the zirconium metal center
and C6F6 via fluorine. Such an interaction may lead to
ligand-assisted loss of H2 or (CpH) and C-F activation,
resulting in the formation of a zirconium-fluorine bond.
Competitively, a σ-bond metathesis between the zirco-
nium hydride and C6F6 may also occur, resulting in the
formation of a new zirconium fluoride complex and a
new C-H bond. A similar mechanism is also postulated
for the Cp3ZrH system. Further studies are under way
with the more soluble (C5Me5)ZrH2 system in order to
gain more insight into the mechanism of these reactions.
1
A H NMR spectrum of the sample revealed a 4:1 mixture of
Cp2Zr(C6F5)F, 1, and Cp2ZrF2. Compound 1 can be separated
from Cp2ZrF2 by dissolving the mixture in a minimum of THF
and layering with hexanes. X-ray quality crystals of 1 are
formed with Cp2ZrF2 remaining in solution. An NMR tube
scale reaction was performed at 65 °C with 14.5 mg (0.065
mmol based on monomer) of [Cp2ZrH2]2 and C6F6 (0.84 mmol,
97 µL) in THF-d8. Integration revealed a 6:1:2 mixture of Cp2-
Zr(C6F5)F, Cp2ZrF2, and C6F5H, respectively. Hydrogen is also
observed at δ 4.55 ppm. The formation of zirconium species
was quantitative. For Cp2Zr(C6F5)F, 1H NMR (THF-d8):
6.405 (s, 10 H). 19F NMR (THF-d8, 23 °C): δ 168.2 (t, J F-F
δ
)
20.71 Hz, Zr-F), -49.3 (m, 2 Fortho), -93.8 (t, J F-F ) 18.8 Hz,
1 Fpara), - 98.8 (bs, 2 Fmeta). 19F NMR (THF-d8, -55 °C,
aromatic fluorines): δ -51.5 (m, 1 F), -52.2 (m, 1 F), -96.9
(t, J F-F ) 18.8 Hz, 1 F), -101.1 (m, 1 F), -101.8 (m, 1 F). Calcd
for C16H10F6Zr: C, 47.16; H, 2.47. Found: C, 46.99; H, 2.37.
For Cp2ZrF2, 1H NMR (THF-d8): δ 6.39 (s, 10 H). 19F NMR
(THF-d8): δ 94.3. For C6F5H, 1H NMR (THF-d8): 7.34-7.45
Exp er im en ta l Section
Gen er a l Con sid er a tion s. All manipulations were per-
formed under an N2 atmosphere, either on a high-vacuum line
using modified Schlenk techniques or in a Vacuum Atmo-
spheres Corporation glovebox. Tetrahydrofuran, benzene,
ether, and toluene were distilled from dark purple solutions
of benzophenone ketyl. Alkane solvents were made olefin-free
by stirring over H2SO4, washing with aqueous KMnO4 and
water, and distilling from dark purple solutions of tetraglyme/
benzophenone ketyl. Benzene-d6, p-xylene-d10, and tetrahy-
drofuran-d8 were purchased from Cambridge Isotope Labora-
tories, distilled under vacuum from dark purple solutions of
benzophenone ketyl, and stored in ampules with Teflon sealed
vacuum line adapters. CD2Cl2 was purchased from Cambridge
Isotope Laboratories and distilled under vacuum from a
solution of calcium hydride. Pyridine was dried with calcium
hydride and stored over molecular sieves. The preparations
of C6F5Li,38 [Cp2ZrH2]2,39 Cp3ZrH,28 Cp2ZrF2,40 Cp4Zr,41 Cp2-
Zr(C6F5)2,42 and “anhydrous TBAF” 20 have been previously
reported. Pyridinium poly(hydrogen fluoride) (∼30% pyridine/
70% hydrogen fluoride), Proton Sponge, and the fluorinated
aromatic compounds were purchased from Aldrich Chemical
Co. The liquids were stirred over sieves, freeze-pump-thaw
degassed three times, and vacuum distilled prior to use.
All 1H NMR and 19F NMR spectra were recorded on a
Bruker Avance 400 spectrometer. All 1H chemical shifts are
reported in ppm (δ) relative to tetramethylsilane and refer-
enced using chemical shifts of residual solvent resonances
(THF-d8, δ 1.73). 19F NMR spectra were referenced to external
C6H5CF3 (δ 0.00 with downfield chemical shifts taken to be
positive; CFCl3 appears at δ +62.54 relative to internal C6H5-
CF3 in THF-d8 solvent). GC-MS was conducted on a 5890
Series II gas chromatograph fitted with an HP 5970 series
mass selective detector. Analyses were obtained from Desert
(m). 19F NMR (THF-d8): δ -75.0 (m, 2 F), -91.1 (t, J F-F
18.83 Hz, 1 F), -99.2 (m, 2F).
)
Th er m olysis of [Cp 2Zr H2]2 w ith P en ta flu or oben zen e.
A sample of [Cp2ZrH2]2 (252 mg, 0.565 mmol) was suspended
in 8 mL of THF. Pentafluorobenzene (13.5 mmol, 1.5 mL) was
added at room temperature, and the mixture was heated to
65 °C. Within a few minutes vigorous gas evolution was
observed and the suspension of [Cp2ZrH2]2 disappeared to give
a clear colorless solution. The solvent was removed to give a
white powder (396 mg). A 1H NMR spectrum of the sample
revealed a 4:1 mixture of Cp2Zr(p-C6F4H)F and Cp2ZrF2. Cp2-
Zr(p-C6F4H)F can be isolated by removing Cp2ZrF2 via subli-
mation (90 °C at 0.001 mmHg). An NMR tube scale reaction
was performed at 65 °C with 23 mg (0.103 mmol based on
monomer) of [Cp2ZrH2]2 and C6F5H (1.23 mmol, 137 µL) in
THF-d8. Integration revealed a 4:1:2 mixture of Cp2Zr(2,3,5,6-
C6HF4)F, Cp2ZrF2, and p-C6F4H2, respectively. Hydrogen is also
observed at δ 4.55 ppm. The formation of zirconium species
1
was quantitative. For Cp2Zr(2,3,5,6-C6HF4)F, H NMR (THF-
d8): δ 7.027 (tt, J H-F ) 9.4, 7.2 Hz), 6.40 (s, 10 H). 19F NMR
(THF-d8, 23 °C): δ 166.2 (t, J F-F ) 18.8 Hz, Zr-F), -51.6 (bs,
2 Fortho), -76.3 (bs, 2 Fmeta). 19F NMR (THF-d8, -70 °C,
aromatic fluorines): δ -50.9 (m, 1 F), -51.4 (m, 1 F), -75.2
(m, 1 F), -76.5 (m, 1 F). Calcd for C16H11F5Zr: C, 49.34; H,
1
2.85. Found: C, 49.43; H, 2.74. For p-C6F4H2, H NMR (THF-
d8): 7.40 (m, partially obscured by excess C6F5H). 19F NMR
(THF-d8): δ -77.5 (s).
Rea ction of [Cp 2Zr H2]2 w ith Va r iou s Con cen tr a tion s
of P er flu or oben zen e. Three NMR tubes were prepared with
varying concentrations of C6F6 (0.88, 1.78, and 2.68 M) in THF-
d8. Each tube also contained 13 mg (0.029 mmol) of [Cp2ZrH2]2
and R,R,R-trifluorotoluene as an internal standard. The NMR
tubes were shaken vigorously for 20 s, put into the NMR
spectrometer, and spun at 20 Hz. The reaction was followed
by monitoring the growth of 1 via 19F NMR spectroscopy at
23 °C until approximately half of the [Cp2ZrH2]2 had disap-
peared. The products formed in each case were 1, C6F5H, and
Cp2ZrF2 in a ratio of 6:2:1. Hydrogen gas was also observed in
each reaction but was not quantified. The rate of appearance
of 1 was observed to be independent of the concentration of
C6F6. The relative ratios of the products was constant through-
out the course of each reaction. A fourth NMR tube containing
13 mg of [Cp2ZrH2]2 and 1.78 M C6F6 was also monitored
without spinning. In this case the rate of appearance of 1 was
approximately 50 times slower than those that were spun.
Rea ction of [Cp 2Zr H2]2 a n d C6F 6 w ith a n d w ith ou t H2.
Two NMR tubes were prepared with 13 mg (0.029 mmol) of
[Cp2ZrH2]2, C6F6 (1.78 M), and R,R,R-trifluorotoluene as an
Analytics. A Siemens SMART system with
a CCD area
detector were used for X-ray structure determination. Kinetic
fits were performed using Microsoft Excel. All errors are
quoted as 95% confidence limits ((error ) tσ, σ ) standard
deviation, t from student’s t-distribution).
Th er m olysis of [Cp 2Zr H2]2 w ith P er flu or oben zen e. A
sample of [Cp2ZrH2]2 (244 mg, 0.546 mmol) was suspended in
8 mL of THF. Perfluorobenzene (13.1 mmol, 1.5 mL) was added
at room temperature, and the mixture was heated to 65 °C.
(38) Chernega, A. N.; Graham, A. J .; Green, M. L. H.; Haggitt, J .;
Lloyd, J .; Mehnert, C. P.; Metzler, N.; Souter, J . J . Chem. Soc., Dalton
Trans. 1997, 13, 2293.
(39) Wailes, P. C.; Weigold, H. Inorg. Synth. 1990, 28, 257.
(40) Murphy, E. F.; Yu, P.; Dietrich, S.; Roesky, H. W.; Parisini, E.;
Noltemeyer, M. J . Chem. Soc., Dalton Trans. 1996, 1983.
(41) Brainina, E. M.; Dvorysantseva, G. G. Izv. Akad. Nauk SSSR,
Ser. Khim. 1967, 442.
(42) Chaudhari, M. A.; Stone, F. G. A. J . Chem. Soc. (A) 1966, 838.

3176 Organometallics, Vol. 18, No. 16, 1999
Edelbach et al.
Ta ble 1. Cr ysta llogr a p h ic Da ta for Cp 2Zr (C6F 5)F
(1) a n d Cp 3Zr H (2)
internal standard in THF-d8. To one tube was added ap-
proximately 4 atm of H2. The NMR tubes were shaken
vigorously for 20 s and put into the NMR spectrometer and
spun at 20 Hz. The reaction was followed by monitoring the
growth of 1 via 19F NMR spectroscopy at 23 °C until ap-
proximately half of the [Cp2ZrH2]2 had disappeared. The
products formed in each case were 1, C6F5H, and Cp2ZrF2 in
a ratio of 4:2:1. The rate of appearance of 1 was observed to
be independent of the pressure of H2.
1
2
Crystal Parameters
chemical formula
C
16H10F6Zr
C15H16Zr
fw
407.46
287.50
cryst syst
space group
Z
orthorhombic
Pna21
4
hexagonal
P63/m
2
a, Å
b, Å
15.772(3)
11.408(3)
7.8990(7)
1421.2(4)
1.904
8.0122(6)
8.0122(6)
10.3314(11)
574.37(9)
1.662
Rea ction of [Cp 2Zr H2]2 w ith P yr id in iu m P oly(h yd r o-
gen flu or id e). Pyridinium poly(hydrogen fluoride) (∼30 wt
% pyridine/70 wt % hydrogen fluoride) (∼0.27 mmol HF) was
added to a resealable NMR tube containing a THF-d8 suspen-
sion of [Cp2ZrH2]2 (15 mg, 0.067 mmol based on monomer).
Vigorous gas evolution was observed immediately upon addi-
tion, and within a matter of seconds no [Cp2ZrH2]2 remained.
1H and 19F NMR spectroscopy revealed Cp2ZrF2 as the only
metal-containing compound. Hydrogen gas was also observed
in the 1H NMR spectrum. A similar reaction was performed
with ∼0.13 mmol of pyridinium poly(hydrogen fluoride). In this
case only half of the [Cp2ZrH2]2 was converted to Cp2ZrF2; the
remainder was left as an unreacted solid in the NMR tube.
Rea ction of Cp 4Zr w ith P yr id in iu m P oly(h yd r ogen
flu or id e). Pyridinium poly(hydrogen fluoride) (∼30 wt %
pyridine/70 wt % hydrogen fluoride) (∼0.025 mmol HF) was
added to a resealable NMR tube containing a THF-d8 solution
c, Å
vol, Å3
F
calc, g cm-3
cryst dimens, mm3
temp, °C
0.12 × 0.18 × 0.38 0.01 × 0.01 × 0.24
-80 -80
Measurement of Intensity Data
diffractometer
radiation
frame range/time, deg/s 0.3/30
2θ range, deg
data collected
Siemens SMART
Mo, 0.71073 Å
Siemens SMART
Mo, 0.71073
0.3/60
5.9-46.4
-8 e h e 6,
-7 e k e 8,
-11 e l e 11
2526
4.4-56.6
-10 e h e 20,
-13 e k e 14,
-10 e l e 10
8420
no. of data collected
no. of unique data
no. of obs data
(I > 2σ(I))
agreement between
equivalent data (Rint
3281
2757
298
288
1
of Cp4Zr (18 mg, 0.05 mmol) at room temperature. H and 19F
0.0368
0.0400
NMR spectroscopy revealed cyclopentadiene, Cp3ZrF, and Cp2-
)
1
ZrF2, the latter two in a ratio of ∼1.8:1. For Cp3ZrF, H NMR
(THF-d8): δ 6.099 (s). 19F NMR (THF-d8): δ 25.5 (s, Zr-F).
MS (70 eV, direct inlet, 300 °C): m/e 304 (M+), 285 (M+ - F),
239 (M+ - Cp), 220 (M+ - Cp - F), 174 (M+ - 2Cp).
Rea ction of Cp 3Zr H w ith Va r iou s Con cen tr a tion s of
C6F 6. A 0.06 M THF-d8 stock solution of Cp3ZrH containing
hexamethylbenzene as an internal standard was prepared, and
0.4 mL aliquots were added to three resealable NMR tubes.
Perfluorobenzene (30, 60, and 90 µL) was added to each NMR
tube. The volume of each tube was adjusted to 0.91 mL by
addition of THF-d8, giving a concentration of Cp3ZrH of 0.026
M and concentrations of perfluorobenzene of 0.29, 0.57, and
0.86 M. The NMR tubes were stirred at room temperature,
and the reaction was followed by 1H NMR spectroscopy for
three half-lives. The products of the reaction were 1, CpH,
C6F5H, Cp2ZrF2, Cp4Zr, Cp3ZrF, and Cp3ZrX, in a 3.8:3.8:2.7:
1.0:0.77:0.74:0.62 ratio. A plot of ln[Cp3ZrH] vs time was lin-
ear. The observed pseudo-first-order rate constants were
2.22(3) × 10-6 s-1 (0.29 M), 4.40(16) × 10-6 s-1 (0.57 M), and
6.19(12) × 10-6 s-1 (0.86 M).
no. of params varied
µ, mm-1
systematic absences
208
0.836
42
0.924
00l, l odd
0kl, k+l odd,
h0l, h odd;
00l, l odd
empirical
(SADABS)
0.605-0.928
0.0307, 0.0607
abs corr
empirical
(SADABS)
0.714-0.928
0.0313, 0.0589
range of trans factors
R1(Fo), wR2(Fo2)
(I > 2σ)
R1(Fo), wR2(Fo
(all data)
goodness of fit
absolute structure
param
2
)
0.0415, 0.0640
0.0352, 0.0602
1.317
0.961
-0.05(4)
focus molybdenum-target X-ray tube operated at 2.0 kW (50
kV, 40 mA). A total of 1321 frames of data (1.3 hemispheres)
were collected using a narrow frame method with scan widths
of 0.3° in ω and exposure times of 30 s/frame for 1 and 60
s/frame for 2 using a detector-to-crystal distance of 5.094 cm
(maximum 2θ angle of 56.52°). The total data collection time
was approximately 13 h for 30 s exposures and 26 h for 60 s
exposures. Frames for 1 were integrated to 0.75 Å with the
Siemens SAINT program to yield a total of 8420 (3281
independent) reflections. Frames for 2 were integrated to 0.90
Å, yielding 2526 (298 independent) reflections. Laue symmetry
revealed an orthorhombic crystal system for 1 and a hexagonal
crystal system for 2. The final unit cell parameters (at -80
°C) were determined from the least-squares refinement of
three-dimensional centroids of 4856 reflections for 1 and 1706
reflections for 2.43 Data were corrected for absorption using
the program SADABS.44 The space groups for 1 and 2 were
assigned as Pna21 (No. 33) and P63/m (No. 176), respectively.
The structure solutions were achieved by direct methods and
refined employing full-matrix least-squares on F2 (Siemens,
SHELXTL,45 version 5.04). One independent molecule was
located in the asymmetric unit for 1, as expected for Z )
Rea ction of Cp 3Zr H (2) w ith C6F 6 a n d TBAF . A 0.06 M
THF-d8 stock solution of Cp3ZrH containing hexamethylben-
zene as an internal standard was prepared, and a 0.4 mL
aliquot was added to a resealable NMR tube. Perfluorobenzene
(60 µL) was added to the NMR tube. A benzene solution of
TBAF was added to give a 0.8 M solution in TBAF. The sample
was diluted with THF-d8 to 0.91 mL, giving a solution of Cp3-
ZrH (0.026 M) and perfluorobenzene (0.57 M). The NMR tube
was stirred at room temperature, and the reaction was
followed by 1H NMR spectroscopy for three half-lives. There
was no rate acceleration for the disappearance of 2 compared
to the reaction without TBAF, although the main organome-
tallic product was now Cp2ZrF2; only a trace of Cp2Zr(C6F5)F
was observed.
X-r a y Str u ctu r a l Deter m in a tion of 1 a n d 2. A colorless
crystal approximately 0.38 × 0.18 × 0.12 mm3 of 1 was
mounted on a glass fiber under Paratone-8277 (Exxon) and
immediately placed in a cold nitrogen stream at -80 °C on
the X-ray diffractometer. A very small colorless plate of 2
(0.24 × 0.01 × 0.01 mm3) was mounted in the same manner,
and the data were also obtained at -80 °C. The X-ray intensity
data for the two crystals were collected on a standard Siemens
SMART CCD area detector system equipped with a normal
(43) It has been noted that the integration program SAINT produces
cell constant errors that are unreasonably small, since systematic error
is not included. More reasonable errors might be estimated at 10×
the listed value.
(44) The SADABS program is based on the method of Blessing;
see: Blessing, R. H. Acta Crystallogr., Sect. A 1995, 51, 33.

Carbon-Fluorine Bond Cleavage
Organometallics, Vol. 18, No. 16, 1999 3177
4. All of the atoms were refined anisotropically, with hydrogens
included in idealized positions, and the structure was refined
to a goodness of fit (GOF)46 of 0.965 and final residuals47 of
R1 ) 3.07% (I > 2σ(I)), wR2 ) 6.07% (I > 2σ(I)). For a Z ) 2,
one-sixth of the molecule was located in the asymmetric unit
of 2. The Zr and hydride atoms were found to be disordered
across the mirror plane, and successful anisotropic refinement
was achieved as described in the text. The hydrogen atoms
were located, and their positions and isotropic thermal pa-
rameters were refined The structure refined to a goodness of
fit (GOF)4 of 1.318 and final residuals5 of R1 ) 3.13% (I >
2σ(I)), wR2 ) 5.90% (I > 2σ(I)). Data collection and refinement
parameters are listed in Table 1.
Ack n ow led gm en t. Acknowledgment is made to the
U.S. Department of Energy, Grant FG02-86ER13569,
for their support of this work.
Su p p or tin g In for m a tion Ava ila ble: Tables of bond
distances and angles and atomic positions for 1 and 2. This
material is available free of charge via the Internet at
http://pubs.acs.org.
(45) SHELXTL: Structure Analysis Program, version 5.04; Siemens
Industrial Automation Inc.: Madison, WI, 1995.
2
(46) GOF ) [∑[w(Fo - Fc2)2]/(n - p)]1/2, where n and p denote the
number of data and parameters.
(47) R1 ) (∑||Fc| - |Fc||)/∑ Fo|; wR2 [∑[w(Fo - Fc2)2]/∑[w(Fo2)2]]1/2
,
2
where w ) 1/[σ(Fo2) + (aP)2 + bP] and P ) [(max;0,Fo2) + 2Fc2]/3.
OM9902481