Efficient Hydrosilylation of Acetophenone with a New Anthraquinonic Amide-Based Iron Precatalyst

A new iron complex
based on a noninnocent anthraquinonic ligand
has been synthesized and fully characterized through multiple techniques,
including NMR, X-ray crystallography, mass spectrometry, and cyclic
voltammetry. Exposure of ketone to that complex in the presence of
(EtO)2MeSiH affords the corresponding silylated alcohol.
Loadings as low as 0.25 mol % afford excellent yields at room temperature.
Quantum–chemical analysis of the catalytic mechanism supports
activation of the precatalyst to form a Fe–hydride intermediate,
followed by ketone reduction and σ-bond metathesis.