Electrophilic Activation of Silicon-Hydrogen Bonds in Catalytic Hydrosilations

Pinacol-Derived Chlorohydrosilane in Metal-Free Reductive Amination for the Preparation of Tertiary Alkylphenolmethyl Amines

A new metal-free reductive amination protocol using a pinacol-derived chlorohydrosilane/pyridine system for the preparation of aminoalkylphenols is described. This method is selective toward iminiums derived from alkylphenol ketones under an in situ formation of a trialkoxyhydrosilane and activation with a Lewis base, as further indicated by computational studies. This method demonstrated high functional group tolerance affording an array of novel aminoalkylphenols in moderate to high yields with equimolar amounts of reactants and a wide substrate scope.

A phosphine-stabilized silylene rhodium complex

The first example of a phosphine stabilized silylene rhodium complex.

A two-coordinate Ni(i) silyl complex: CO2 insertion and oxidatively-induced silyl migrations

Synthesis of the first open-shell two-coordinate silyl complex and its oxidatively-induced silyl rearrangements.

Ir-catalyzed selective reduction of CO2 to the methoxy or formate level with HSiMe(OSiMe3)2

Ir-NSi-based catalysts allow controlling the selective reduction of CO₂ with HSiMe(OSiMe₃)₂ to afford methoxysilane or silyl formate.

Electron-poor hemilabile dicationic palladium NHC complexes - synthesis, structure and catalytic activity

We present a new class of dicationic palladium NHC complexes with two carbene ligands bearing different aryl substituents and a hemilabile pyrimidyl group. They can either be synthesized from the imidazolium salts via the silver transmetalation route to a halide-free palladium(ii) precursor or by direct deprotonation by palladium acetate. For four complexes we could determine their solid-state structures by X-ray diffraction experiments. Insight gained by NMR spectroscopy and DFT calculations revealed that in solution the two potentially bidentate ligands interchange between chelating and non-chelating coordination modes. The preference of these coordination modes is governed by the steric influence of the different ligands. The complexes were shown to be active catalysts for the hydroarylation of alkynes, and their performance was rationalized by DFT calculations.

Entrapment of THF-Stabilized Iridacyclic IrIII Silylenes from Double H-Si Bond Activation and H2 Elimination

The reaction of H₃ SiR (R=Ph, nBu) with cationic η₅ -C₅ Me₅ - (Cp*) and benzo[h]quinolinyl-based iridacycle [1 b]⁺ gives rise to new [(IrH)→SiRH₂ ]⁺ adducts. In the presence of THF these adducts readily undergo elimination of H₂ gas at subambient temperature to form THF-stabilized metallacyclic Ir^III silylene complexes, which were characterized in situ by NMR spectroscopy, trapped in minute amounts by reactive crystallization, and structurally characterized by XRD. Theoretical investigations (static DFT-D reaction-energy profiling, ETS-NOCV) support the promoting role of THF in the H₂ elimination step and the consolidation of the Ir-to-Si interaction in the spontaneous (ΔG<0) formation of Ir silylenes in the presence of THF. Mechanistic insights indicate that the Ir silylene species arising from the [1 b]⁺ /phenylsilane system are relevant catalytic species in the hydrodefluorination of fluoroalkanes.

Pseudo-tetrahedral Rhodium and Iridium Complexes: Catalytic Synthesis of E-Enynes

The reactions of the rhodium(I) and iridium(I) complexes [M(PhBP₃ )(C₂ H₄ )(NCMe)] (PhBP₃ =PhB(CH₂ PPh₂ )₃ ^- ) with alkynes have resulted in the synthesis of a new family of pseudo-tetrahedral complexes, [M(PhBP₃ )(RC≡CR')] (M=Rh, Ir), which contain the alkyne as a four-electron donor. The reactions of these unusual compounds with two-electron donors (L=PMe₃ , CNtBu) produced a change in the "donicity" of the alkyne from a 4e^- to a 2e^- donor to give five-coordinate complexes. These were the final products with the iridium complexes, whereas further reactions took place with the rhodium complexes. In particular, C(sp)-H bond activation of the alkyne occurred leading to hydrido alkynyl complexes. This process is essential for the further reactivity of the alkynes, and if the alkyne itself was used as reagent, E-enyne complexes were obtained. As a consequence of this chemistry, we show that the complex [Rh(PhBP₃ )(C₂ H₄ )(NCMe)] is a very efficient pre-catalyst for the regioselective di- and trimerization of terminal alkynes to E-enynes and benzene derivatives, respectively. Interestingly, acetonitrile significantly enhanced the catalytic activity by facilitating the C(sp)-H bond activation step. A hydrometalation mechanism to account for these experimental observations is proposed.

Construction of highly sterically hindered 1,1-disilylated terminal alkenes

One direct and efficient procedure for the synthesis of 1,1-disilylated terminal alkenes is demonstrated in this paper. To overcome and rationally utilize the steric hindrance of silyl units, the cationic ruthenium catalyst [CpRu(MeCN)3]+ was found to be effective for Markovnikov hydrosilylation of 1-silyl terminal alkynes with high yields and excellent regioselectivity. Dissimilarities between alkyl and alkoxy silyl units lead to versatile product derivatizations toward a variety of useful building blocks.

Taming the Cationic Beast: Novel Developments in the Synthesis and Application of Weakly Coordinating Anions

This Review gives a comprehensive overview of the most topical weakly coordinating anions (WCAs) and contains information on WCA design, stability, and applications. As an update to the 2004 review, developments in common classes of WCA are included. Methods for the incorporation of WCAs into a given system are discussed and advice given on how to best choose a method for the introduction of a particular WCA. A series of starting materials for a large number of WCA precursors and references are tabulated as a useful resource when looking for procedures to prepare WCAs. Furthermore, a collection of scales that allow the performance of a WCA, or its underlying Lewis acid, to be judged is collated with some advice on how to use them. The examples chosen to illustrate WCA developments are taken from a broad selection of topics where WCAs play a role. In addition a section focusing on transition metal and catalysis applications as well as supporting electrolytes is also included.

Base-Free Iron Hydrosilylene Complexes via an α-Hydride Migration that Induces Spin Pairing

Two new base-free hydrosilylene complexes of iron were synthesized using the novel starting material Cp*( ⁱPr₂MeP)FeMes. These Cp*( ⁱPr₂MeP)Fe(H)SiHR (R = DMP, Trip) complexes are in equilibrium with the corresponding iron silyl complexes, Cp*( ⁱPr₂MeP)FeSiH₂R, which can be trapped and characterized for R = Trip. Unlike the Ru analogues, the Fe silylene complex with R = DMP is observed to undergo an intramolecular C-H activation involving formal addition of a benzylic C-H bond across the Fe-Si bond. This increased activity for bond activations is also observed for reactions with hydrogen, where Fe reacts faster than a Ru analog to form the hydrogenation product, Cp*( ⁱPr₂MeP)H₂FeSiH₂DMP.

Frustrated Lewis Pairs Catalyzed Asymmetric Metal-Free Hydrogenations and Hydrosilylations

The use of frustrated Lewis pairs is an extremely important approach to metal-free hydrogenations. In contrast to the rapid growth of catalytic reactions, asymmetric hydrogenations are far less developed due to a severe shortage of readily available chiral frustrated Lewis pair catalysts with high catalytic activities and selectivities. Unlike the stable Lewis base component of frustrated Lewis pairs, the moisture-sensitive boron Lewis acid component is difficult to prepare. The development of convenient methods for the quick construction of chiral boron Lewis acids is therefore of great interest. In this Account, we summarize our recent studies on frustrated Lewis pair-catalyzed, asymmetric metal-free hydrogenations and hydrosilylations. To address the shortage of highly active and selective catalysts, we developed a novel strategy for the in situ preparation of chiral boron Lewis acids by the hydroboration of chiral dienes or diynes with Piers' borane without further purification, which allows chiral dienes or diynes to act like ligands. This strategy ensures the construction of a useful toolbox of catalysts for asymmetric metal-free hydrogenations and hydrosilylations is rapid and operationally simple. Another strategy is using combinations of readily available Lewis acids and bases containing hydridic and acidic hydrogen atoms, respectively, as a novel type of frustrated Lewis pairs. Such systems provide a great opportunity for using simple chiral Lewis bases as the origins of asymmetric induction. With chiral diene-derived boron Lewis acids as catalysts, a broad range of unsaturated compounds, such as imines, silyl enol ethers, 2,3-disubstituted quinoxalines, and polysubstituted quinolines, are all viable substrates for asymmetric metal-free hydrogenations and give the corresponding products in good yields with high enantioselectivities and/or stereoselectivities. These chiral catalysts are very effective for bulky substrates, and the substrate scope for these metal-free asymmetric hydrogenations has been dramatically expanded. Chiral alkenylboranes were designed to enhance the rigidity of the framework and modify the Lewis acidity through the resulting double bonds. Frustrated Lewis pairs of chiral alkenylboranes and phosphines are a class of highly effective catalysts for asymmetric Piers-type hydrosilylations of 1,2-dicarbonyl compounds, and they give the desired products in high yields and enantioselectivities. Moreover, asymmetric transfer hydrogenations of imines and quinoxalines with ammonia borane as the hydrogen source have been achieved with frustrated Lewis pair of Piers' borane and (R)-tert-butylsulfinamide as the catalyst. Mechanistic studies have suggested that the hydrogen transfer occurs via an 8-membered ring transition state, and regeneration of the reactive frustrated Lewis pair with ammonia borane occurs through a concerted 6-membered ring transition state.

Computed thermodynamic stabilities of silylium Lewis base adducts

We report a computational study of the transfer of silylium from phosphine to heteroatom containing Lewis bases including ethers, phosphines, and amines.

Selective ligand-free cobalt-catalysed reduction of esters to aldehydes or alcohols

Activated cobalt metal salts are effective and versatile catalysts for the chemoselective reduction of esters to aldehydes or alcohols through hydrosilylation reaction.

Revisiting the iridacycle-catalyzed hydrosilylation of enolizable imines

In situ¹H NMR spectroscopy reveals a cascade mechanism for the hydrosilylation of enolizable imines catalyzed by iridium(iii) metallacycles.

Piers’ borane-mediated hydrosilylation of epoxides and cyclic ethers

This work represents the first diarylborane-catalyzed hydrosilylation of epoxides and cyclic ethers.

An intramolecular ortho-assisted activation of the silicon–hydrogen bond in arylsilanes: an experimental and theoretical study

An intramolecular activation of the Si–H bond in arylsilanes by selected ortho-assisting functional groups based on boron, carbon and phosphorus was investigated experimentally and by means of theoretical calculations.

A new anthraquinoid ligand for the iron-catalyzed hydrosilylation of carbonyl compounds at room temperature: new insights and kinetics

The synthesis and characterization of a highly active Fe(ii) catalyst for the hydrosilylation of aldehydes and ketones have been described.

Selective catalytic synthesis of amino-silanes at part-per million catalyst loadings

Platinum(ii) complex [Pt(I^tBu′)(I^tBu)][BAr^F₄] (1a) is a highly active and selective catalyst in the dehydrocoupling of amines and silanes at part-per-million catalyst loadings (up to 10 ppm, 0.001 mol%), achieving the highest TON and TOF numbers reported in the literature (up to 1 mmol scale).

Constructing reactive Fe and Co complexes from isolated picolyl-functionalized N-heterocyclic carbenes

The Fe(ii) and Co(ii) complexes prepared from the isolated free carbene form of the picolyl-NHC ligands display excellent catalytic activity towards the hydrosilylation of ketones.

Non-Metal-Catalyzed Heterodehydrocoupling of Phosphines and Hydrosilanes: Mechanistic Studies of B(C6F5)3-Mediated Formation of P-Si Bonds

Non-metal-catalyzed heterodehydrocoupling of primary and secondary phosphines (R¹R²PH, R² = H or R¹) with hydrosilanes (R³R⁴R⁵SiH, R⁴, R⁵ = H or R³) to produce synthetically useful silylphosphines (R¹R²P-SiR³R⁴R⁵) has been achieved using B(C₆F₅)₃ as the catalyst (10 mol %, 100 °C). Kinetic studies demonstrated that the reaction is first-order in hydrosilane and B(C₆F₅)₃ but zero-order in phosphine. Control experiments, DFT calculations, and DOSY NMR studies suggest that a R¹R²HP·B(C₆F₅)₃ adduct is initially formed and undergoes partial dissociation to form an "encounter complex". The latter mediates frustrated Lewis pair type Si-H bond activation of the silane substrates. We also found that B(C₆F₅)₃ catalyzes the homodehydrocoupling of primary phosphines to form cyclic phosphine rings and the first example of a non-metal-catalyzed hydrosilylation of P-P bonds to produce silylphosphines (R¹R²P-SiR³R⁴R⁵). Moreover, the introduction of PhCN to the reactions involving secondary phosphines with hydrosilanes allowed the heterodehydrocoupling reaction to proceed efficiently under much milder conditions (1.0 mol % B(C₆F₅)₃ at 25 °C). Mechanistic studies, as well as DFT calculations, revealed that PhCN plays a key mechanistic role in facilitating the dehydrocoupling reactions rather than simply functioning as H₂-acceptor.