Cyclometalation of Substrates Containing Imine and Pyridyl Anchoring Groups by Iron and Cobalt Complexes

Abstract

Steric control dictates the cyclometalation of aromatic substrates containing imine anchoring groups upon reaction with basic iron or cobalt complexes. As structural isomers, the azadiene systems 1 and 2 undergo regiospecific activation of the (vinylic or aromatic) CH bond of the CH group that has switched places with the N atom.