Group 4 metallocenes containing hetaryl substituents at their π-ligands: synthesis and characterization of the parent bis[2-(2-furyl)indenyl]zirconocene system

2-Lithiofuran was added to 2-indanone to yield 2-(2-furyl)indene (4) after hydrolytic workup. Treatment of 4 with n-butyllithium gave 2-(2-furyl)indenyllithium (5). Subsequent reaction of 5 with 0.5 molar equivalents of zirconium tetrachloride in toluene yielded bis[2-(2-furyl)indenyl]zirconium dichloride (6) that was characterized by X-ray diffraction. The homogeneous 6–methylalumoxane Ziegler-Natta catalyst produced elastomeric polypropylene.