Direct reaction of aroyl cyanides with azazirconacyclopentadienes: Synthesis and structural characterization of stabilized azazirconacyclopentenes

The direct reaction of aroyl cyanide with azazirconacyclopentadiene takes place at room temperature in THF. The X-ray crystal structure analysis of the product 2e shows a novel azazirconacycle with a bidentate O-C-N unit. Hydrolysis of the newly formed zirconacycle affords the N-substituted benzamide derivative in good yield.