Introducing the Catalytic Amination of Silanes via Nitrene Insertion

The direct functionalization of Si-H bonds by the nitrene insertion methodology is described. A copper(I) complex bearing a trispyrazolylborate ligand catalyzes the transfer of a nitrene group from PhI═NTs to the Si-H bond of silanes, disilanes, and siloxanes, leading to the exclusive formation of Si-NH moieties in the first example of this transformation. The process tolerates other functionalities in the substrate such as several C-H bonds and alkyne and alkene moieties directly bonded to the silicon center. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations provide a mechanistic interpretation consisting of a Si-H homolytic cleavage and subsequent rebound to the Si-centered radical.