A molecular mechanics force field has been developed for the conformational analysis of
amido- and α-aminoferrocenes. Parameterization for ring-substituent rotational barriers in
amidoferrocenes and other cross-conjugated derivatives have been calculated using DFT on
both the free and complexed cyclopentadienyl ligand. Modeled structures of (diisopropylamido)- and (dimethylamido)ferrocene and N,N-dimethyl-α-ferrocenylethylamine are in
agreement with those determined through single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The diastereoselective lithiation of N,N-dimethylferrocenylethylamine and sparteine-mediated enantioselective lithiation of (diisopropylamido)ferrocene using MeLi have been modeled through
an assumed reversible adduct formation at the amine nitrogen or amide oxygen, followed
by an irreversible ring lithiation. Results indicate that selectivity results from ring lithiation
via the adduct conformer with the shortest C−Hring- - -H3C−Li interaction.