Uranyl-catalyzed hydrosilylation of para-quinone methides: access to diarylmethane derivatives

Abstract

An efficient and convenient uranyl-catalyzed reductive hydrosilylation reaction of para-quinone methides (p-QMs) was developed by employing silane as the reductant. The hydrosilylation procedure using the UO₂(NO₃)₂·6H₂O/Et₃SiH catalytic system proceeded smoothly and provided an expedient method for the construction of various diarylmethane derivatives in one step with good to excellent yields.