Zirconium bis(pyridonate): a modified amidate complex for enhanced substrate scope in aminoalkene cyclohydroamination.

A new bis(amidate)zirconium bis(amido) hydroamination pre-catalyst using 6-tert-butyl-3-phenyl-2-pyridone as a proligand has been prepared and characterized. This rare example of an early transition metal complex incorporating a 2-pyridonate derivative as an ancillary ligand was found to be effective for the cyclohydroamination of aminoalkenes, including more challenging substrates bearing unactivated internal C=C bonds.