Catalytic reductive deoxygenation of esters to ethers driven by hydrosilane activation through non-covalent interactions with a fluorinated borate salt

We report the catalytic and transition metal-free reductive deoxygenation of esters to ethers through the use of a hydrosilane and a fluorinated borate BArF salt as a catalyst. Experimental and theoretical studies support the role of noncovalent interactions between the fluorinated catalyst, the hydrosilane and the ester substrate in the reaction mechanism.