Grignard reagent mediated reaction of Cp2Zr(ii)–ethylene complex with imines

Imines which do not react with Grignard reagents reacted with EtMgBr in the presence of a catalytic amount of Cp2ZrCl2 to give ethylated products in excellent yields; the stoichiometric reaction of the imines and the zirconocene–ethylene complex did not give the ethylated product, whereas addition of MeMgBr or BuMgCl to the mixture afforded the ethylated product after hydrolysis.