Research –

The reactivity of methylene-bridged bimetallic systems using different metal combinations in the facile formation of C–C bonds, via insertion of substrates into an M–CH2 bond, is well demonstrated (Scheme 1).  However, the analogous silylene-bridged bimetallic species have, to date, drawn much less attention for the promotion of Si–Si and/or Si–C bond formation by similar insertions into the M–SiR2 bonds.

Primary and secondary silanes generally react at a bimetallic core (1) via double oxidative addition of two geminal Si-H bonds to give silylene–bridged bimetallic complexes 2–3 . We aim to explore the potential for such complexes in promoting Si–Si  or Si–C coupling.

For more information, see Hosnay’s work.