The title compound, [Zr(C(7)H(7))(3)(C(15)H(17))], (I), crystallizes from light petroleum with two independent molecules in the asymmetric unit. Whereas in the parent molecule, Zr(eta(5)-C(5)H(5))(CH(2)Ph)(3), all three Zr-CH(2)Ph angles are equal, in (I), they differ significantly. In spite of their different environments, both independent molecules in (I) exhibit a small, an expected, and a large Zr-CH(2)Ph angle. The angles are similar to those of the closely related tribenzyl[eta(5)-(benzyldimethylsilyl)cyclopentadienyl]zirconium complex. The smallest Zr-CH(2)Ph angle and the consequently relatively short Zr.C(ipso) distance are indicative of eta(2)-bonding of the benzyl group.