Silylene-Bridged Tetranuclear Palladium Cluster as a Catalyst for Hydrogenation of Alkenes and Alkynes

A planar tetranuclear palladium cluster was obtained from the reaction of a cyclotetrasilane with [Pd((CNBu)-Bu-t)(2)](3). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and DFT calculations revealed that the tetranuclear framework of the cluster was supported effectively by the bridging organosilylene ligand. Although [Pd((CNBu)-Bu-t)(2)](3) as well as mononuclear palladium bis(silyl) complex, cis-Pd(SiMePh2)(2)((CNBu)-Bu-t)(2), do not act as the effective catalyst, the planar tetranuclear palladium cluster acts as an efficient catalyst for the hydrogenation of alkenes and alkynes including sterically hindered tri- and tetra-substituted alkenes.

Automated summary

A planar tetranuclear palladium cluster was synthesized from the reaction of a cyclotetrasilane with [Pd((CNBu)-Bu-t)(2)](3), exhibiting efficient catalytic activity for the hydrogenation of alkenes and alkynes. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and DFT calculations revealed that the tetranuclear framework was effectively supported by the bridging organosilylene ligand.