NHC Supersilyl Silver Complex [Ag(IPr)SitBu3] as a Promising Agent for Substitution Reactions

The NHC supersilyl silver complex Ag(IPr)SitBu₃] (IPr = NHC_IPr) was prepared by treatment of Ag(IPr)Cl with Na(thf)₂SitBu₃] in benzene/thf at room temperature. X-ray quality crystals of the NHC supersilyl silver complex Ag(IPr)SitBu₃] (monoclinic, space group P2₁/m) were grown from heptane at room temperature. The ²⁹Si NMR spectrum of a solution of Ag(IPr)SitBu₃] in C₆D₆ revealed two doublets caused by coupling to ¹⁰⁷Ag and ¹⁰⁹Ag nuclei. We further investigated the possibility of a conversion of triel halides EX₃ by treatment with Ag(IPr)SitBu₃]. At ambient temperature the reaction of Ag(IPr)SitBu₃] with an excess of EX₃ yielded tBu₃SiEX₂ (E = B, Al; X = Cl, Br; E = Ga; X = Cl) and IPr · EX₃ (EX₃ = BCl₃, BBr₃, AlCl₃, AlBr₃, GaCl₃). The identity of tBu₃SiEX₂ and IPr · EX₃ was confirmed by comparison with authentic samples.