Insertion of Nitriles into Zirconocene 1‐aza‐1,3‐diene Complexes: Chemoselective Synthesis of N–H and N‐Substituted Pyrroles

The direct insertion of nitriles into zirconocene‐1‐aza‐1,3‐diene complexes provides an efficient, chemoselective, and controllable synthesis of N‐H and N‐substituted pyrroles upon acidic aqueous work‐up. The outcome of the reaction (that is, the formation of N‐H or N‐substituted pyrroles) results from the different cyclization patterns, which depend on the relative stability and reactivity of the enamine–imine tautomers formed by hydrolysis of the diazazirconacycles.