Application of bis(phosphinite) pincer nickel complexes to the catalytic hydrosilylation of aldehydes

Abstract

A series of bis(phosphinite) (POCOP) pincer ligated nickel complexes, [2,6-(tBu2PO)2C6H3]NiX (X = SH, 1; SCH2Ph, 2; SPh, 3; NCS, 4; N3, 5), were used to catalyse the hydrosilylation of aldehydes. It was found that both complexes 1 and 2 are active in catalysing the hydrosilylation of aldehydes with phenylsilane and complex 1 is comparatively more active. The expected alcohols were isolated in good to excellent yields after basic hydrolysis of the resultant hydrosilylation products. However, no reaction was observed when complex 3 or 4 or 5 was used as the catalyst. The results are consistent with complexes 1 and 2 serving as catalyst precursors, which generate the corresponding nickel hydride complex [2,6-(tBu2PO)2C6H3]NiH in situ, and the nickel hydride complex is the active species that catalyses this hydrosilylation process. The in situ generation of the nickel hydride species was supported by both experimental results and DFT calculation.