Synthesis of new ferrocenyl aminoalcohols and aminonitriles and catalytic properties of the aminoalcohols in the ethylation of benzaldehyde

Chiral ferrocenyl aminoalcohols possessing either OH or NR2 functionality ? to the ferrocenyl ring were prepared and exhibit modest enantioselectivities for the addition of diethylzinc to benzaldehyde. Chiral ferrocenyl aminonitriles exhibit a facile inversion process in protonic solvents.