Metal free mild and selective aldehyde cyanosilylation by a neutral penta-coordinate silicon compound

Abstract

This study demonstrates the preparation and structural characterization of a Si(IV) hydride (PhC(NtBu)₂SiH(CH₃)Cl) (1) and its use as a catalyst for the cyanosilylation of a variety of aldehydes. Compound 1 represents the first neutral penta-coordinate silicon(IV) species that catalyzes cyanosilylation of aldehydes under mild conditions.