Synthesis of new iron–NHC complexes as catalysts for hydrosilylation reactions

Abstract

A series of new piano‐stool iron(II) complexes comprising N‐heterocyclic carbene ligands [Fe(Cp)(CO)2(NHC)]I (NHC = 1,3‐disubstituted imidazolidin‐2‐ylidene) have been synthesized and analyzed by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, IR, elemental analysis and mass spectrometric techniques. These compounds were easily prepared from the reaction of disubstituted imidazolidin‐2‐ylidene with [FeI(Cp)(CO)2] in toluene at room temperature. These complexes were tested in the catalytic hydrosilylation reaction of aldehydes and ketones with phenylsilane in solvent‐free conditions. After a basic hydrolysis step, the corresponding alcohols were obtained in good yields. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.