Conversion of alkanes to linear alkylsilanes using an iridium-iron-catalysed tandem dehydrogenation-isomerization-hydrosilylation

Nat Chem. 2016 Feb;8(2):157-61. doi: 10.1038/nchem.2417. Epub 2015 Dec 21.

Abstract

The conversion of inexpensive, saturated hydrocarbon feedstocks into value-added speciality chemicals using regiospecific, catalytic functionalization of alkanes is a major goal of organometallic chemistry. Linear alkylsilanes represent one such speciality chemical-they have a wide range of applications, including release coatings, silicone rubbers and moulding products. Direct, selective, functionalization of alkanes at primary C-H bonds is difficult and, to date, methods for catalytically converting alkanes into linear alkylsilanes are unknown. Here, we report a well-defined, dual-catalyst system for one-pot, two-step alkane silylations. The system comprises a pincer-ligated Ir catalyst for alkane dehydrogenation and an Fe catalyst that effects a subsequent tandem olefin isomerization-hydrosilylation. This method exhibits exclusive regioselectivity for the production of terminally functionalized alkylsilanes. This dual-catalyst strategy has also been applied to regioselective alkane borylations to form linear alkylboronate esters.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Associated data

  • PubChem-Substance/254817067
  • PubChem-Substance/254817068
  • PubChem-Substance/254817069
  • PubChem-Substance/254817070
  • PubChem-Substance/254817071
  • PubChem-Substance/254817072
  • PubChem-Substance/254817073
  • PubChem-Substance/254817074
  • PubChem-Substance/254817075
  • PubChem-Substance/254817076
  • PubChem-Substance/254817077
  • PubChem-Substance/254817078
  • PubChem-Substance/254817079
  • PubChem-Substance/254817080
  • PubChem-Substance/254817081
  • PubChem-Substance/254817082
  • PubChem-Substance/254817083
  • PubChem-Substance/254817084
  • PubChem-Substance/254817085
  • PubChem-Substance/254817086
  • PubChem-Substance/254817087
  • PubChem-Substance/254817088
  • PubChem-Substance/254817089
  • PubChem-Substance/254817090
  • PubChem-Substance/254817091
  • PubChem-Substance/254817092