Palladium-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling of Monochlorosilanes and Grignard Reagents

Abstract

Using a palladium catalyst supported by DrewPhos, the alkylation of monochlorosilanes with primary and secondary alkylmagnesium halides is now possible. Arylation with sterically demanding aromatic magnesium halides is also enabled. This transformation overcomes the high bond strength of the Si–Cl bond (113 kcal/mol) and is a rare example of a transition-metal catalyzed process involving its activation. Because of the availability of both chlorosilanes and organomagnesium halide reagents, this method allows for the preparation of a wide range of alkyl and aryl silanes.