The synthesis and characterization of a series of Me2Si[(eta(5)-C5Me4)((BuN
)-Bu-t)]LnE(TMS)(2) complexes is described for Ln = Sm, Nd, Yb, Lu; E = CH,
N.-As precatalysts for aminoalkene hydroamination/cyclization, they are si
gnificantly more active than the corresponding (C5Me5)(2)LnE(TMS)(2) comple
xes.