The hafnium-mediated NH activation of an amido-borane

Treatment of Cp(2)HfCl(2) with two equivalents of LiNH(2)BH(C(6)F(5))(2) in toluene solution yields Cp(2)Hf{NHBH(C(6)F(5))(2)}, which has been crystallographically characterised. The otherwise base-free [NHBH(C(6)F(5))(2)] complex is stabilised by an agostic interaction.