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Updated: Dec 28, 2025

Imine Metathesis by Silica-Supported Catalysts Using the Methodology of Surface Organometallic Chemistry
Published on: October 18, 2019
Hydrogenolysis of Polysilanes Catalyzed by Low-Valent Nickel Complexes
Bruno Pribanic1, Monica Trincado1, Frederik Eiler1
1Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zürich, 8093, Zürich, Switzerland.
Abstract:
The dehydrogenation of organosilanes (Rx SiH4-x ) under the formation of Si-Si bonds is an intensively investigated process leading to oligo- or polysilanes. The reverse reaction is little studied. To date, the hydrogenolysis of Si-Si bonds requires very harsh conditions and is very unselective, leading to multiple side products. Herein, we describe a new catalytic hydrogenation of oligo- and polysilanes that is highly selective and proceeds under mild conditions. New low-valent nickel hydride complexes are used as catalysts and secondary silanes, RR'SiH2 , are obtained as products in high purity.
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