Université Paris-Saclay (Espace Technologique, Bat. Discovery - RD 128 - 2e ét., 91190 Saint-Aubin - France)
Abstract : Silyl formates are investigated for the first time as surrogates of hydrosilanes. In the presence of a well-defined ruthenium catalyst, these reagents are shown to promote the chemoselective reduction of a variety of aldehydes by transfer hydrosilylation. Mechanistic investigations have shown that genuine hydrosilane species are avoided during catalysis. The mechanism involves a sequence of decarboxylation/insertion/ transmetallation steps.
