Copper-driven formation of siloxanes via dehydrocoupling between hydrosilanes and silanols

Abstract

In this study, we introduce a method for directly synthesizing various siloxanes from hydrosilanes and silanols under ambient conditions. This process relies on the use of Stryker's reagent ([(PPh₃)CuH]₆) as the first copper catalyst, enabling this specific cross-dehydrogenative coupling. This method stands out for its exceptional chemoselectivity, making it a superb alternative to established catalytic systems. It operates under mild conditions yet maintains high process efficiency. Throughout the investigation, we demonstrated the potential for modifying the resulting hydrosiloxanes through alcoholysis to produce silyl ethers and via hydrosilylation to yield functionalized siloxanes.