Chelating Bis(1,2,3-triazol-5-ylidene) Rhodium Complexes: Versatile Catalysts for Hydrosilylation Reactions

Article abstract of DOI:10.1002/adsc.201500875

NHC-rhodium complexes (NHC=N-heterocyclic carbenes) have been widely used as efficient catalysts for hydrosilylation reactions. However, the substrates were mostly limited to reactive carbonyl compounds (aldehydes and ketones) or carbon-carbon multiple bonds. Here, we describe the application of newly-developed chelating bis(tzNHC)-rhodium complexes (tz=1,2,3-triazol-5-ylidene) for several reductive transformations. With these catalysts, the formal reductive methylation of amines using carbon dioxide, the hydrosilylation of amides and carboxylic acids, and the reductive alkylation of amines using carboxylic acids have been achieved under mild reaction conditions.