Reduction of 2-(N,N-dimethylamino)ethyl substituted zirconocene dichlorides: Intramolecular activation of NCH2-H bond. The crystal structures of [η5:η2(C,N)-C5(CH3)4CH2CH2N(CH3)CH2][η5-C5(CH3)5]ZrX (X = Cl, H)

Treatment of zirconocene dichloride [η5-C5(CH3)4CH2CH2N(CH3)2][η5-C5(CH3)5]ZrCl2 with amalgamated magnesium in THF results in cleavage of a C-H bond in one of the methyl groups of the N(CH3)2 fragment yielding [η5:η2(C,N)-C5(CH3)4CH2CH2N(CH3)CH2-][η5-C5(CH3)5]ZrH.