Tris(η4‐naphthalene)zirconate(2−)

Highly reactive, thermally stable, and air sensitive are three characteristics of the dark red title compound 1, which was prepared from ZrCl4·2 THF and potassium naphthalenide. The three naphthalene ligands are bound η4 to the Zr center and the co-ordination environment has approximate C3v, local symmetry (shown on the right). Compound 1 is the first tris(naphthalene) complex and the first structurally characterized homoleptic naphthalene metalate.