Introduction The coordination of CO in its intact form, which is the prerequisite for its activation,'has been reported in the chemistry of zirconium and hafnium in only few cases: CP'~ M (CO) L (Cp'= C5H5, RC5H4, C5Me5; L= CO, PR3;(1)(a) Hoffmann, R.; Wilker, CN; Lippard, SJ; Templeton, JL; Rower, DCJ Am. Chem. SOC. 1983, 105,146.(b) Erker, G. Acc. Chem..