RuCl2(PPh3)(3) catalyzed condensation of 1,1'-ferrocenedimethanol with primary amines afforded N-alkyl- or N-aryl-2-aza-[3]-ferrocenophanes which were characterized by H-1 and C-13 NMR spectra. X-ray crystallography of N-(4-butylphenyl)-2-aza-[3]-ferrocenophane unequivocally revealed its mononuclear structure. The N-C (aryl) bond distance is shorter than the N-CH2 single bond due to extension of pi-conjugation of the aromatic ring to the nitrogen atom. N-Hexyl-2-aza-[3]-ferrocenophane reacts with methyl iodide to give the N-methylated product which was characterized by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. N-Aryl-2-aza-[3]-ferrocenopbanes exhibited reversible redox between ferrocene and ferrocenium cations and an irreversible oxidation peak at a higher oxidation potential. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.