Direct observation of a borane–silane complex involved in frustrated Lewis-pair-mediated hydrosilylations

Perfluorarylborane Lewis acids catalyse the addition of silicon–hydrogen bonds across C=C, C=N and C=O double bonds. This ‘metal-free’ hydrosilylation has been proposed to occur via borane activation of the silane Si–H bond, rather than through classical Lewis acid/base adducts with the substrate. However, the key borane/silane adduct had not been observed experimentally. Here it is shown that the strongly Lewis acidic, antiaromatic 1,2,3-tris(pentafluorophenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrafluoro-1-boraindene forms an observable, isolable adduct with ​triethylsilane. The equilibrium for adduct formation was studied quantitatively through variable-temperature NMR spectroscopic investigations. The interaction of the silane with the borane occurs through the Si–H bond, as evidenced by trends in the Si–H coupling constant and the infrared stretching frequency of the Si–H bond, as well as by X-ray crystallography and theoretical calculations. The adduct's reactivity with nucleophiles demonstrates conclusively the role of this species in metal-free ‘frustrated-Lewis-pair’ hydrosilylation reactions.peerReviewe

Hydrogen Activation by Frustrated Lewis Pairs: Insights from Computational Studies

Sterically encumbered Lewis acid–base pairs, the so-called frustrated Lewis pairs, can split dihydrogen heterolytically and act as transition metal free catalysts for the hydrogenation of unsaturated compounds. Here we review the results from our quantum chemical calculations aimed at the understanding of this remarkable class of reactions and we put them into the context of related works from other research groups. The thermodynamics of the H2 splitting reaction is discussed first; the role of acid–base properties, intramolecular cooperativity, and other factors is assessed, employing an energy partitioning scheme and also in the light of the latest experimental findings. The mechanism of hydrogen cleavage is then examined, and an overview about the applicability of our reactivity model involving synergistic electron transfers between H2 and preorganized Lewis acid/base centers is given. Finally, insights about catalytic cycles in FLP-mediated hydrogenations are summarized, pinpointing the diversity of the involved elementary steps and their possible sequences