Photoactivated hydrosilylation reaction of alkynes

The photoactivated (350 nm) hydrosilylation of alkynes by silanes catalyzed by platinum(II) bis(acetylacetonato) has been studied. Platinum(II) bis(acetylacetonato) is an efficient catalyst. High yields of adducts (>98% for terminal alkynes) can be obtained in 2–3 h after a short induction period with a catalyst–reactant molar ratio of 10⁻³/1. The reaction rate depends on the choice of silane, irradiation time and the concentration of catalyst. The major product is the β-trans adduct. Minor products are the α isomer with a trace of β-cis isomer. Comparisons of hydrosilylation reactions of alkynes with hydrosilylation reactions of alkenes are reported.     

Nonradical mechanisms for the uncatalyzed thermal functionalization of silicon surfaces by alkenes and alkynes: a density functional study

We propose a new concerted mechanism for the uncatalyzed hydrosilylation of terminal alkenes and alkynes, alternative to the conventional radical-based mechanism. Density functional calculations have been carried out on these and on previously proposed alternative mechanisms for the hydrosilylation of ethylene and acetylene by suitable finite size clusters as models of the thermal functionalization of -SiH3, =SiH2, and [triple bound] SiH groups in flat Si(100) and Si(111) and porous silicon surfaces by alkenes and alkynes. For each step involved in the considered hydrosilylation pathways, we optimized the geometries of reactants and products and located the corresponding transition states. The calculated activation energies for the concerted pathways of ethylene and acetylene are, respectively, 57.6 and 60.9 kcal mol(-1) on -SiH3 and in the ranges 62-63 and 58-61 kcal mol-1 on =SiH2 and 64-66 and 56-61 kcal mol(-1) on SiH. These values are much lower than the activation energies calculated for the corresponding homolytic dissociation of the Si-H bond, which is the preliminary step in the radical path, 85.6, 82-83, and 79-81 kcal mol(-1), respectively, for -SiH3, =SiH2, and [triple bound] SiH groups. Our results thus suggest that the thermal hydrosilylation of alkenes and alkynes on silicon surfaces, for which a radical-based mechanism is currently accepted, may occur through a concerted mechanism.     

Air-initiated hydrosilylation of unactivated alkynes and alkenes and dehalogenation of halohydrocarbons by tris(trimethylsilyl)silane under solvent-free conditions

A highly efficient air-initiated hydrosilylation of unactivated alkynes and alkenes and dehalogenation of halohydrocarbons with tris(trimethylsilyl)silane ((TMS)₃SiH) as a reducing agent has been established under solvent-free conditions. These observations demonstrate that the potential and versatility of air to function as a competent initiator for Si-H bond activations. It can rival organic initiators and metal catalysts in its efficiency and is a superior initiating system from economic, environmentally sound and practical perspectives.     

Use of carboxylated polyethylene glycol as promoter for platinum‐catalyzed hydrosilylation of alkenes

Several carboxylated polyethylene glycols as promoters were applied in the platinum‐catalyzed hydrosilylation of alkenes, and polyethylene glycol maleic acid monoester as a promoter for hydrosilylation was investigated. It was found that an improvement of the selectivity was achieved in the presence of carboxylated polyethylene glycol, and the β‐adduct as major product was obtained. Additionally, the effect of alkenes and silanes employed on the selectivity was investigated; better selectivity could be achieved when (EtO)₃SiH was used as the hydride than ClMe₂SiH. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Reactivity of rhodium-triflate complexes with diphenylsilane: evidence for silylene intermediacy in stoichiometric and catalytic reactions

Addition of Ph2SiH2 to [Rh(iPr3P)2(OTf)] (1) yielded the thermally unstable RhIII adduct [Rh(iPr3P)2(OTf)(H)(SiPh2H)] (2), which decomposed to [Rh(iPr3P)2(H)2(OTf)] (3), liberating (unobserved) silylene. The silylene was trapped by 1, resulting in the RhI-silyl complex [Rh(iPr3P)2(SiPh2OTf)]. Complex 3 was converted to 2 by addition of diphenylsilane, providing a basis for a possible catalytic cycle. The last reaction did not involve a RhI intermediate, as shown by a labeling study. Complex 1 catalyzed the dehydrogenative coupling of Ph2SiH2 to Ph2HSi--SiHPh2. A mechanism involving a silylene intermediate in this catalytic cycle is proposed. The mechanism is supported by complete lack of catalysis in the case of the tertiary silanes Ph2MeSiH and PhMe2SiH, and by a study of individual steps of the catalytic cycle. The outcome of the reaction of Ph2SiH2 with styrene in the presence of 1 depends on the complex/substrate ratio; under stoichiometric conditions olefin hydrogenation prevailed over hydrosilylation, whereas with excess of substrates hydrosilylation prevailed. Catalytic hydrosilylation resulted in double addition giving Ph2Si(CH2CH2Ph)2. Mechanistic aspects of the reported processes are discussed, and a new hydrosilylation mechanism based on silylene intermediacy is proposed.     

Directing group-controlled hydrosilylation: regioselective functionalization of alkyne

Pt(0)-catalyzed hydrosilylation of unsymmetric alkynes proceeds in a highly regioselective manner with a dimethylvinylsilyl (DMVS) group as the directing group. This hydrosilylation affords a single regioisomer of silylalkenes from propargylic and homopropargylic alcohol derivatives. DMVS also has an accelerating effect that allows group-selective hydrosilylation of the DMVS-attached alkyne prior to that of other alkynes. Combined hydrosilylation and transformation reactions of the resulting silylalkenes afford various tri-substituted alkenes and multi-oxy-functionalized compounds with high regioselectivity from unsymmetric alkynes.     

B(C(6)F(5))(3)-Catalyzed hydrosilation of imines via silyliminium intermediates

A broad range of benzaldimines and ketimines can be hydrosilated efficiently, employing B(C(6)F(5))(3) as a catalyst in conjunction with PhMe(2)SiH. Spectral evidence supports the intermediacy of a silyliminium cation with a hydridoborate counterion formed via abstraction of a hydride from PhMe(2)SiH by B(C(6)F(5))(3) in the presence of imines.     

Oxidation of tertiary silanes by osmium tetroxide

In the presence of an excess of pyridine ligand L, osmium tetroxide oxidizes tertiary silanes (Et(3)SiH, (i)Pr(3)SiH, Ph(3)SiH, or PhMe(2)SiH) to the corresponding silanols. With L = 4-tert-butylpyridine ((t)Bupy), OsO(4)((t)Bupy) oxidizes Et(3)SiH and PhMe(2)SiH to yield 100 +/- 2% of silanol and the structurally characterized osmium(VI) mu-oxo dimer [OsO(2)((t)Bupy)(2)](2)(mu-O)(2) (1a). With L = pyridine (py), only 40-60% yields of R(3)SiOH are obtained, apparently because of coprecipitation of osmium(VIII) with [Os(O)(2)py(2)](2)(mu-O)(2) (1b). Excess silane in these reactions causes further reduction of the OsVI products, and similar osmium "over-reduction" is observed with PhSiH(3), Bu(3)SnH, and boranes. The pathway for OsO(4)(L) + R(3)SiH involves an intermediate, which forms rapidly at 200 K and decays more slowly to products. NMR and IR spectra indicate that the intermediate is a monomeric Os(VI)-hydroxo-siloxo complex, trans-cis-cis-Os(O)(2)L(2)(OH)(OSiR(3)). Mechanistic studies and density functional theory calculations indicate that the intermediate is formed by the [3 + 2] addition of an Si-H bond across an O=Os=O fragment. This is the first direct observation of a [3 + 2] intermediate in a sigma-bond oxidation, though such species have previously been implicated in reactions of H-H and C-H bonds with OsO(4)(L) and RuO(4).     

Palladium-Catalyzed Hydrosilylation of Unactivated Alkenes and Conjugated Dienes with Tertiary Silanes Controlled by Hemilabile Hybrid P,O Ligand

Novel P,O-type ligands, N-disulfonyl bicyclic bridgehead phosphorus triamides, were synthesized and utilized in Pd-catalyzed hydrosilylation involving tertiary silanes, unactivated alkenes, and conjugated dienes. The ligand displayed a remarkable level of reactivity for alkene hydrosilylation with tertiary silanes and its use resulted in a significant improvement in the regioselectivity of diene hydrosilylation towards 1,2-hydrosilylation. X-ray crystallographic analysis confirmed the bidentate nature of the ligand, with coordination of phosphorus and oxygen. Control experiments provided evidence for the formation of Pd⁰ species and the reversibility of Pd−H insertion in the reaction mechanism. Density functional theory (DFT) computations supported the importance of the hemilabile P,O ligand in stabilizing both the rate-determining transition state of Pd−H insertion and the transition state of reductive elimination that determines the regioselectivity.     

Active low-valent niobium catalysts from NbCl5 and hydrosilanes for selective intermolecular cycloadditions

An active niobium catalyst was developed via a simple and nontoxic reduction method from NbCl(5)/hydrosilane and utilized for the selective [2 + 2 + 2] cycloaddition reaction of terminal alkynes and alkenes/α,ω-dienes, to give 1,3-cyclohexadiene derivatives in high yields with excellent chemo- and regioselectivity.     

Unusually accelerated silylmethyl transfer from tin in stille coupling: implication of coordination-driven transmetalation

The palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction of 2-PyMe2SiCH2SnBu3 with aryl iodide (Ar-I) exclusively produced the 2-PyMe2SiCH2 transferred product 2-PyMe2SiCH2Ar. The relative transfer ability of organic group from tin was found to be 2-PyMe2SiCH2 > Ph > Me > Bu > PhMe2SiCH2, which implies the beneficial pyridyl-to-palladium coordination effect. Thus, the transfer of the silylmethyl group from tin to palladium was remarkably accelerated by simply appending the 2-pyridyl group on silicon. The pyridyl-to-palladium coordination was validated in the palladium(II) complex 2-PyMe2SiCH2PdClPPh3 by 1H NMR and X-ray crystal structure analysis. The cross-coupling product was used for further transformations. The C-Si oxidation of the cross-coupling product 2-PyMe2SiCH2Ar afforded ArCH2OH in high yield. The fluoride ion-catalyzed 1,2-addition of 2-PyMe2SiCH2Ar to carbonyl compound (RR'C=O) gave ArCH2C(OH)RR' in high yield.     

A DFT study on the mechanism of hydrosilylation of unsaturated compounds with neutral hydrido(hydrosilylene)tungsten complex

Recently, Tobita et al. reported stoichiometric hydrosilylation reactions of acetone and acetonitrile with neutral hydrido(hydrosilylene)tungsten complexes Cp'(CO)2(H)W=Si(H)[C(SiMe(3))(3)] (Cp' = Cp*, C(5)Me(4)Et). The mechanisms of the hydrosilylation reactions of unsaturated compounds (ketone and nitrile) with the tungsten complexes have been investigated with the B(3)LYP density functional theory method. Four possible reaction mechanisms were studied. The results of the calculations indicate that the hydrosilylation of acetone proceeds via a metal hydride migration mechanism proposed by Tobita et al., while the hydrosilylation of nitrile occurs through a silyl migration mechanism, analogous to the modified Chalk-Harrod mechanism. The [2(sigma)+2(pi)] additions of various CX (CX = C=O or CN) multiple bonds with the Si-H bonds in the neutral complexes have very high barriers although similar additions were found feasible in other related cationic complexes. All the hydrosilylation reactions studied here give stable tungsten-silylene or tungsten-silyl products, which are not easily converted into the starting hydrido(hydrosilylene)tungsten complexes when reacting with a hydrosilane substrate molecule. Therefore, we predict that hydrosilylation of acetonitrile and acetone catalyzed by these tungsten complexes is difficult to achieve.     

Nonhydride mechanism of metal-catalyzed hydrosilylation

A 1:1:1 reaction between complex (Tp)(ArN═)Mo(H)(PMe(3)) (3), silane PhSiD(3), and carbonyl substrate established that hydrosilylation catalyzed by 3 is not accompanied by deuterium incorporation into the hydride position of the catalyst, thus ruling out the conventional hydride mechanism based on carbonyl insertion into the M-H bond. An analogous result was observed for the catalysis by (O═)(PhMe(2)SiO)Re(PPh(3))(2)(I)(H) and (Ph(3)PCuH)(6).     

Highly beta-(E)-selective hydrosilylation of terminal and internal alkynes catalyzed by a (IPr)Pt(diene) complex

The regioselective hydrosilylation of terminal and internal alkynes catalyzed by the novel (IPr)Pt(AE) ( 7) (IPr = bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazo-2-ylidene, AE = allyl ether) complex is presented. The (IPr)Pt(AE) catalyst displays enhanced activity and regioselectivity for the hydrosilylation of terminal and internal alkynes with low catalyst loading (0.1 to 0.05 mol %) when compared to the parent (IPr)Pt(DVDS) complex ( 6) (DVDS = divinyltetramethyldisiloxane). The reaction leads to exquisite regioselectivity in favor of the cis-addition product on the less hindered terminus of terminal and internal alkynes. The solvent effects were examined for the difficult hydrosilylation of benzylpropargyl ether. In light of the observed product distribution and kinetic data, a mechanistic scheme is proposed involving two competing catalytic cycles. One cycle leads to high regioselectivities while the other, having lost the stereodirecting IPr carbene ligand, displays low regiocontrol and activities. The importance of this secondary catalytic cycle is either caused by the strong coordinating ability of the alkyne or by the low reactivity of the silane or both.     

An Easily Accessed Nickel Nanoparticle Catalyst for Alkene Hydrosilylation with Tertiary Silanes

The first efficient and non‐precious nanoparticle catalyst for alkene hydrosilylation with commercially relevant tertiary silanes has been developed. The nickel nanoparticle catalyst was prepared in situ from a simple nickel alkoxide precatalyst Ni(O^tBu)₂?x KCl. The catalyst exhibits high activity for anti‐Markovnikov hydrosilylation of unactivated terminal alkenes and isomerizing hydrosilylation of internal alkenes. The catalyst can be applied to synthesize a single terminal alkyl silane from a mixture of internal and terminal alkene isomers, and to remotely functionalize an internal alkene derived from a fatty acid.     

Elusive Silane–Alane Complex [Si?H⋅⋅⋅Al]: Isolation,Characterization, and Multifaceted Frustrated Lewis Pair Type Catalysis

The super acidity of the unsolvated Al(C₆F₅)₃ enabled isolation of the elusive silane–alane complex [Si H⋅⋅⋅Al], which was structurally characterized by spectroscopic and X‐ray diffraction methods. The Janus‐like nature of this adduct, coupled with strong silane activation, effects multifaceted frustrated‐Lewis‐pair‐type catalysis. When compared with the silane–borane system, the silane–alane system offers unique features or clear advantages in the four types of catalytic transformations examined in this study, including: ligand redistribution of tertiary silanes into secondary and quaternary silanes, polymerization of conjugated polar alkenes, hydrosilylation of unactivated alkenes, and hydrodefluorination of fluoroalkanes.     

Elusive Silane–Alane Complex [SiH⋅⋅⋅Al]: Isolation,Characterization, and Multifaceted Frustrated Lewis Pair Type Catalysis

The super acidity of the unsolvated Al(C₆F₅)₃ enabled isolation of the elusive silane–alane complex [Si? H???Al], which was structurally characterized by spectroscopic and X‐ray diffraction methods. The Janus‐like nature of this adduct, coupled with strong silane activation, effects multifaceted frustrated‐Lewis‐pair‐type catalysis. When compared with the silane–borane system, the silane–alane system offers unique features or clear advantages in the four types of catalytic transformations examined in this study, including: ligand redistribution of tertiary silanes into secondary and quaternary silanes, polymerization of conjugated polar alkenes, hydrosilylation of unactivated alkenes, and hydrodefluorination of fluoroalkanes.     

Catalytic and stoichiometric reactivity of β-silylamido agostic complex of Mo: intermediacy of a silanimine complex and applications to multicomponent coupling

The reaction of complex (ArN═)(2)Mo(PMe(3))(3) (Ar = 2,6-diisopropylphenyl) with PhSiH(3) gives the β-agostic NSi-H···M silyamido complex (ArN═)Mo(SiH(2)Ph)(PMe(3))(η(3)-ArN-SiHPh-H) (3) as the first product. 3 decomposes in the mother liquor to a mixture of hydride compounds, including complex {η(3)-SiH(Ph)-N(Ar)-SiHPh-H···}MoH(3)(PMe(3))(3) characterized by NMR. Compound 3 was obtained on preparative scale by reacting (ArN═)(2)Mo(PMe(3))(3) with 2 equiv of PhSiH(3) under N(2) purging and characterized by multinuclear NMR, IR, and X-ray diffraction. Analogous reaction of (Ar'N═)(2)Mo(PMe(3))(3) (Ar' = 2,6-dimethylphenyl) with PhSiH(3) affords the nonagostic silylamido derivative (Ar'N═)Mo(SiH(2)Ph)(PMe(3))(2)(NAr'{SiH(2)Ph}) (5) as the first product. 5 decomposes in the mother liquor to a mixture of {η(3)-PhHSi-N(Ar')-SiHPh-H···}MoH(3)(PMe(3))(3), (Ar'N═)Mo(H)(2)(PMe(3))(2)(η(2)-Ar'N═SiHPh), and other hydride species. Catalytic and stoichiometric reactivity of 3 was studied. Complex 3 undergoes exchange with its minor diastereomer 3' by an agostic bond-opening/closing mechanism. It also exchanges the classical silyl group with free silane by an associative mechanism which most likely includes dissociation of the Si-H agostic bond followed by the rate-determining silane σ-bond metathesis. However, labeling experiments suggest the possibility of an alternative (minor) pathway in this exchange including a silanimine intermediate. 3 was found to catalyze dehydrogenative coupling of silane, hydrosilylation of carbonyls and nitriles, and dehydrogenative silylation of alcohols and amines. Stoichiometric reactions of 3 with nitriles proceed via intermediate formation of η(2)-adducts (ArN═)Mo(PMe(3))(η(2)-ArN═SiHPh)(η(2)-N≡CR), followed by an unusual Si-N coupling to give (ArN═)Mo(PMe(3))(κ(2)-NAr-SiHPh-C(R)═N-). Reactions of 3 with carbonyls lead to η(2)-carbonyl adducts (ArN═)(2)Mo(O═CRR')(PMe(3)) which were independently prepared by reactions of (ArN═)(2)Mo(PMe(3))(3) with the corresponding carbonyl O═CRR'. In the case of reaction with benzaldehyde, the silanimine adduct (ArN═)Mo(PMe(3))(η(2)-ArN═SiHPh)(η(2)-O═CHPh) was observed by NMR. Reactions of complex 3 with olefins lead to products of Si(ag)-C coupling, (ArN═)Mo(Et)(PMe(3))(η(3)-NAr-SiHPh-CH═CH(2)) (17) and (ArN═)Mo(H)(PMe(3))(η(3)-NAr-SiHPh-CH═CHPh), for ethylene and styrene, respectively. The hydride complex (ArN═)Mo(H)(PMe(3))(η(3)-NAr-SiHPh-CH═CH(2)) was obtained from 17 by hydrogenation and reaction with PhSiH(3). Mechanistic studies of the latter process revealed an unusual dependence of the rate constant on phosphine concentration, which was explained by competition of two reaction pathways. Reaction of 17 with PhSiH(3) in the presence of BPh(3) leads to agostic complex (ArN═)Mo(SiH(2)Ph)(η(3)-NAr-Si(Et)Ph-H)(η(2)-CH(2)═CH(2)) (24) having the Et substituent at the agostic silicon. Mechanistic studies show that the Et group stems from hydrogenation of the vinyl substituent by silane. Reaction of 24 with PMe(3) gives the agostic complex (ArN═)Mo(SiH(2)Ph)(PMe(3))(η(3)-NAr-Si(Et)Ph-H), which slowly reacts with PhSiH(3) to furnish silylamide 3 and the hydrosilylation product PhEtSiH(2). A mechanism involving silane attack on the imido ligand was proposed to explain this transformation.     

Alkyne hydrosilylation catalyzed by a cationic ruthenium complex: efficient and general trans addition

The complex [Cp*Ru(MeCN)3]PF6 is shown to catalyze the hydrosilylation of a wide range of alkynes. Terminal alkynes afford access to alpha-vinylsilane products with good regioselectivity. Deuterium labeling studies indicate a clean trans addition process is at work. The same complex is active in internal alkyne hydrosilylation, where absolute selectivity for the trans addition process is maintained. Several internal alkyne substrate classes, including propargylic alcohols and alpha,beta-alkynyl carbonyl compounds, allow regioselective vinylsilane formation. The tolerance of a wide range of silanes is noteworthy, including alkyl-, aryl-, alkoxy-, and halosilanes. This advantage is demonstrated in the direct synthesis of triene substrates for silicon-tethered intramolecular Diels-Alder cycloadditions.     

Cobalt-Catalyzed Regiodivergent Double Hydrosilylation of Arylacetylenes

Double hydrosilylation of alkynes represents a straightforward method to synthesize bis(silane)s, yet it is challenging if α-substituted vinylsilanes act as the intermediates. Here, a cobalt-catalyzed regiodivergent double hydrosilylation of arylacetylenes is reported for the first time involving this challenge, accessing both vicinal and geminal bis(silane)s with exclusive regioselectivity. Various novel bis(silane)s containing Si−H bonds can be easily obtained. The gram-scale reactions could be performed smoothly. Preliminarily mechanistic studies demonstrated that the reactions were initiated by cobalt-catalyzed α-hydrosilylation of alkynes, followed by cobalt-catalyzed β-hydrosilylation of the α-vinylsilanes to deliver vicinal bis(silane)s, or hydride-catalyzed α-hydrosilylation to give geminal ones. Notably, these bis(silane)s can be used for the synthesis of high-refractive-index polymers (n_d up to 1.83), demonstrating great potential utility in optical materials.