Thermally Stable Four-Coordinate Silicon(IV) Complexes with an Si=N Double Bond and an SiN3El Skeleton (El = O, S, Se, Te)

Where silylene–silicon centres matter in the activation of small molecules

Small molecules such as H₂, N₂, CO, NH₃, O₂ are ubiquitous stable species and their activation and role in the formation of value-added products are of fundamental importance in nature and industry.

Synthesis and reactivity of boryl substituted silaimines

Two bulky N-boryl substituted silaimines have been prepared and their reactivity toward a number of small molecule substrates examined (e.g. see picture, Dip = 2,6-diisopropylphenyl).

Bis(amidinato)- and bis(guanidinato)silylenes and silylenes with one sterically demanding amidinato or guanidinato ligand: synthesis and reactivity

Silylenes 1–4 have great synthetic potential for the synthesis of higher coordinate silicon(ii) and silicon(iv) complexes with unprecedented structural motifs.

Cationic Five-Coordinate Bis(guanidinato)silicon(IV) Complexes with SiN4 El Skeletons (El=S, Se): "Heterolytic Activation" of S-S and Se-Se Bonds

The donor-stabilized silylene [iPrNC(NiPr2 )NiPr]2 Si (2) reacts with PhEl-ElPh (El=S, Se) to form the respective cationic five-coordinate bis(guanidinato)silicon(IV) complexes {[iPrNC(NiPr2 )NiPr]2 SiSPh}(+) PhS(-) (4) and {[iPrNC (NiPr2 )NiPr]2 SiSePh}(+) PhSe(-) (5). Compounds 4 and 5 were characterized by crystal structure analyses and NMR spectroscopic studies in the solid state.

Synthesis, structure and reactivity of a donor-stabilised silylene with a bulky bidentate benzamidinato ligand

A novel donor-stabilised silicon(ii) complex with an SiN₃ skeleton was synthesised and its reactivity profile was characterised (reactions with N₂O, S₈, Se, Te, Me₃SiN₃, PhSCH₂N₃ and [Fe(CO)₅]).

Base-stabilized silaimine and its donor-free dimer derived from the reaction of NHC-supported silylene with SiCl4

Reaction of the N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-stabilized silylene ArN(SiMe₃)Si(IiPr)Cl (1, Ar = 2,6-iPr₂C₆H₃, IiPr = 1,3-diisopropyl-4,5-dimethyl-imidazol-2-ylidene) with SiCl₄ resulted in the formation of three different products ArNSi(IiPr)Cl₂ (2), ArN(SiMe₃)SiCl₃ (3) and (ArNSiCl₂)₂ (4) under different conditions.