Zirconium complexes supported by a ferrocene-based ligand as redox switches for hydroamination reactions

The synthesis of (thiolfan*) Zr(NEt2) 2 (thiolfan* = 1,10-bis(2,4-di-tertbutyl-6-thiophenoxy) ferrocene) and its catalytic activity for intramolecular hydroamination are reported. In situ oxidation and reduction of the metal complex results in reactivity towards different substrates. The reduced form of (thiolfan*) Zr(NEt2) 2 catalyzes hydroamination reactions of primary aminoalkenes, whereas the oxidized formcatalyzes hydroamination reactions of secondary aminoalkenes.