Tetrabenzylzirconium is an organozirconium compound with the formula Zr(CH<sub>2</sub>C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>5</sub>)<sub>4</sub>. The molecule features diamagnetic Zr(IV) bonded to four benzyl ligands. It is an orange air- and photo-sensitive solid, which is soluble in hydrocarbon solvents. The compound is a precursor to catalysts for the polymerization of olefins.
X-ray crystallography demonstrates that the benzyl ligands are highly flexible: one polymorph features four ÷<sup>2</sup>-ligands, whereas another has two ÷<sup>1</sup>- and two ÷<sup>2</sup>-benzyl ligands.
The compound is prepared by combining benzylmagnesium chloride and zirconium tetrachloride in diethyl ether.
Tetrabenzylzirconium readily undergoes protonolysis, e.g. with hydrogen chloride: