Interception of Elusive Cationic Hf-Al and Hf-Zn Heterobimetallic Adducts with Mixed Alkyl Bridges Featuring Multiple Agostic Interactions.

To bond to natural terrains, animals employ diverse adaptions: prehensile tails, suction-cup toes, zygodactyl claws. Molecular bonding can also be nuanced; unraveling such mysteries is at the heart of chemistry. A series of Hf/Al, Hf/Zn complexes is bound by multiple agostic interactions from bridging alkyls and has short Hf-Al/Zn interatomic distances. One can envision agostic hydrogen atoms grasping the Hf center like toes, the electron cloud of Al/Zn brushing against it like a tail. More information can be found in the Full Paper by L, Tensi, R. D. J. Froese, R. L. Kuhlman, A. Macchioni, C. Zuccaccia et al. (DOI: 10.1002/chem.201905699).