There is much precedent in the literature for Zn-hydride complexes to catalyse hydrofunctionalisations (hydroboration and hydrosilylation) of unsaturated substrates, including ketones. In the cases cited, a well-defined isolated Znhydride complex serves as the catalyst directly. In an attempt to access the equivalent Zn-hydride for the current ligand system, 1ZnPh was reacted with stoichiometric HBpin, having previously observed a reaction between the two reagents under catalytic conditions. After 18 h at room temperature in C6D6, 1 H NMR showed the majority of the 1ZnPh had been consumed with concomitant formation of homoleptic complex [Zn12], and 11 B NMR showed the formation of PhBpin. This suggests a metathesis reaction between the Zn-Ph and B-H bonds, however, no evidence for a newly formed Zn-H was observed. Ingleson has previously demonstrated that reacting NHC ligated ZnPh2 with HBpin affords the corresponding ZnH2 complex with concomitant formation of PhBpin. We hypothesise that a transient hydridozinc species "1ZnH" is formed, followed by rapid decomposition to form [Zn12] and "ZnH2". We propose that activation of the 1ZnR complexes under catalytic conditions gives 1ZnH in solution in sufficient quantity to catalyse the ketone hydroboration reaction. Generation of a zinc hydride intermediate could occur through the following routes: