Reaction of Cp* 2 ZrH 2 (Cp*, pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) with excess hexafluorobenzene produces a mixture of Cp* 2 ZrHF, C 6 F 5 H and Cp* 2 Zr(C 6 F 5 )H in ca. 2:1:1 ratio. Reaction of Cp* 2 ZrH 2 with excess C 6 F 5 H produces a mixture of Cp* 2 ZrHF, Cp* 2 Zr(C 6 F 5 )H, Cp* 2 Zr(o-C 6 F 4 H)H, p-C 6 F 4 H 2 , and o-C 6 F 4 H 2 with preferred ortho aromatic C F activation. Dual mechanisms are proposed for the formation of Ar F H and Cp* 2 Zr(Ar F )H species.