Evidence for the formation of a metal alkyl intermediate in the zinc mediated intramolecular hydroamination

Abstract

A diketiminato zinc amide complex, LZnNMe₂ (1) [L = CH{(CMe)₂(2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃N)₂}], was prepared and investigated for the catalytic hydroamination of 2,2-dimethylpent-4-en-1-amine. The reaction with the amino olefin resulted in a transamination reaction and the subsequent insertion of the olefin moiety into the metal–amide bond. However, the reaction stopped at this point providing access to the metal alkyl intermediate, LZnR (R = NH–CH₂–CPh₂–CH₂–CH–) (2). The isolation of this primary insertion product further strengthens the widely accepted mechanism for the intramolecular hydroamination.