2-Indenylidene Pincer Complexes of Zirconium and Palladium

[IndH2(Ph2PX)2] derivatives (1, X = NMes; 4, X = S) react with [Zr(NMe2)4] and [PdCl2(cod)] to afford the complexes {[Ind(Ph2PNMes)2]Zr(NMe2)2} (3), {[Ind(Ph2PS)2]Zr(NMe2)2} (5), and {[Ind(Ph2PS)2]Pd(HNc-Hex2)} (7). The ability of the phosphazene and thiophosphinoyl side arms to support the coordination of the indenyl ring as 2-indenylidene was evidenced by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction studies. Analysis of the bonding situation by density functional theory calculations revealed a strong σ interaction but a negligible (if any) π interaction between C2 and the metal.