Bis(perchlorocatecholato)silane and heteroleptic bidonors: hidden frustrated Lewis pairs resulting from ring strain

Bis(perchlorocatecholato)silane and bidentate N,N- or N,P-heteroleptic donors were reacted to form hexacoordinated complexes. Depending on the ring strain and hemilability in the adducts, frustrated Lewis pair (FLP) reactivity with aldehydes and catalytic ammonia borane dehydrocoupling was enabled. All reactions were analyzed using density functional theory. This approach represents an alternative way, beyond relying on steric bulk, to achieve frustration in bimolecular FLPs.

Automated summary

The reaction between Bis(perchlorocatecholato)silane and bidentate N,N- or N,P-heteroleptic donors results in the formation of hexacoordinated complexes. These complexes exhibit frustrated Lewis pair (FLP) reactivity, enabling reactions with aldehydes and catalytic ammonia borane dehydrocoupling. Density functional theory was used to analyze all reactions, providing an alternative approach to achieve frustration in bimolecular FLPs beyond relying on steric bulk.