Redox-active ligand based Mn(i)-catalyst for hydrosilylative ester reduction

Herein a Mn(i) catalyst bearing a redox-active phenalenyl (PLY) based ligand is reported for the efficient hydrosilylation of esters to alcohols using the inexpensive silane source polymethylhydrosiloxane (PMHS) under mild conditions. Mechanistic investigations suggest a strong ligand-metal cooperation where a ligand-based single electron transfer (SET) process initiates the reaction through Si-H bond activation.

Automated summary

A new Mn(i) catalyst with a redox-active ligand is reported for the efficient hydrosilylation of esters to alcohols, with mechanistic investigations showing a strong cooperation between the ligand and metal in initiating the reaction through a ligand-based single electron transfer (SET) process activating the Si-H bond.