Summary: Two types of metallic intermediates were observed in the iron
-promoted deamination reactions of N-substituted 7-azanorbornadiene (A
NBD) derivatives, i.e., (ANBD)Fe(CO)4 formed first, followed by (ANBD)
-Fe(CO)3. The latter can also be prepared alternatively from the forme
r by reacting with trimethylamine N-oxide. Their spectroscopic charact
eristics as well as their roles in the deamination mechanisms were ana
lyzed.