Catalyst design for iron-promoted reductions: an iron disilyl-dicarbonyl complex bearing weakly coordinating η2-(H–Si) moieties

Abstract

Iron disilyl dicarbonyl complex 1, in which two H–Si moieties of the 1,2-bis(dimethylsilyl)benzene ligand were coordinated to the iron center in an η²-(H–Si) fashion, was synthesized by the reaction of (η⁴-C₆H₈)Fe(CO)₃ with 2 equiv. of 1,2-bis(dimethylsilyl)benzene under photo-irradiation. Complex 1 demonstrated high catalytic activity toward the hydrogenation of alkenes, the hydrosilylation of alkenes and the reduction of carbonyl compounds.