A series of sitting-atop (SAT) complexes, [(ZrO)$H_2t(X)pp(NO_3)_2$], have been prepared via the reactions of free base meso-tetraarylporphyrins, $H_2$t(X)pp, with zirconyl nitrate hydrate, ZrO(N$O_3)_2{cdot}xH_2$O. The products have been characterized by a variety of methods including $^1H;NMR,;^{13}C$ NMR, IR and UV-Vis spectroscopies, elemental analysis and conductance measurements. The data indicate that the meso-tetraarylporphyrins coordinate with two pyrrolenine nitrogen atoms to the zirconyl cation located above the distorted porphyrin plane and two protons remain on the pyrrole nitrogens. Such half sandwich-type sitting-atop complexes may be considered as models for the initial steps of the metallation of the macrocycles.