Effort in search of cheaper, more effective catalysts for various reactions is an enduring theme in chemistry. Silane activation for hydrosilylation and dehydrogenative coupling, traditionally dominated by catalysts derived from precious metals, has seen a shift to inexpensive and earth abundant metals recently. We are particularly interested in manganese, which is with the third largest global reserve behind iron and copper. Herein we describe our work on manganese catalyzed hydrosilylation of carbonyl compounds and dehydrogenative coupling of hydrosilanes and alcohols. Their applications in the synthesis of degradable polysilylethers, including those partially derived from biomass, are presented, and the reaction mechanisms pertaining to silane activation is discussed.

Manganese catalysis for polysilylethers via hydrosilylation and dehydrogenative coupling

254th National Meeting (2017)

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