Synthesis and Reactivity of Zirconium–Silene Complex

Abstract

When Cp₂ZrCl₂ was treated with 2 equivalents of Me₂PhSiLi, a zirconium–silene complex was formed. In the presence of alkyne, diarylalkyne reacted with silene coordinated with zirconium to give silazirconacyclopentene, which was hydrolyzed to give vinylsilane. On the other hand, dialkylalkyne inserted into zirconium–silene complex to give silazirconacyclopentene, which was hydrolyzed to give allylsilane. Formation of the zirconium–silene complex was monitored by ¹H NMR spectra.