C-Methylenation of anilines and indoles with CO2 and hydrosilane using a pentanuclear zinc complex catalyst

Abstract

The one-step C-methylenation of anilines and indoles with CO₂ and phenylsilane was catalyzed by a pentanuclear Zn^II complex to give diarylmethanes via geminal C–H and C–C bond formation. It is proposed that the zinc–hydride complex generated in situ is a catalytically active species and that bis(silyl)acetal is a key intermediate. When aniline was used as a substrate, both the C-methylenation and N-methylation proceeded.