Modification of aminoallenylidene complexes of chromium via exchange of the C3-bound amino group

Ammonia and primary amines do not react with [(CO)5CrCCC(NMe2)Ph] by addition to the C1C2 bond of the allenylidene ligand but rather by replacement of the NMe2 substituent thus affording a convenient access to various amino-substituted allenylidene complexes. Usually, the Z isomer (with respect to the partial C3-N double bond) is formed exclusively.