Zinc Hydride-Catalyzed Hydrofuntionalization of Ketones

Abstract

Three new dimeric bis-guanidinate zinc(II) alkyl, halide, and hydride complexes [LZnEt]<b>₂</b> (<b>1</b>), [LZnI]<b>₂</b> (<b>2</b>) and [LZnH]<b>₂</b> (<b>3</b>) were prepared. Compound <b>3</b> was successfully employed for the hydrosilylation and hydroboration of a vast number of ketones. The catalytic performance of <b>3</b> in the hydroboration of acetophenone exhibits a turnover frequency, reaching up to 5800 h^-1, outperforming that of reported zinc hydride catalysts. Notably, both intra- and intermolecular chemoselective hydrosilylation and hydroboration reactions have been investigated.