Catalytic N–Si coupling as a vehicle for silane dehydrocoupling via α-silylene elimination

Abstract

Exploration of (N₃N)ZrNMe₂ (1, N₃N = N(CH₂CH₂NSiMe₃)₃^3–) as a catalyst for the cross-dehydrocoupling or heterodehydrocoupling of silanes and amines suggested silylene reactivity. Further studies of the catalysis and stoichiometric modeling reactions hint at α-silylene elimination as the pivotal mechanistic step, which expands the 3p elements known to engage in this catalysis and provides a new strategy for the catalytic generation of low-valent fragments.