Silane Alcoholysis and Silylative Pinacol Coupling with Gold Nanoparticles

Significance

The first catalytic application of supported Au nanoparticles in silane alcoholysis was described. Thus, the reaction of liquid alcohols 1 with hydrosilanes 2 was carried out in the presence of Au/Al₂O₃ (Au_MVS or Au_DP: see ‘Comment’) as a catalyst under solvent free conditions to give the corresponding silyl ethers 3 (trace to 99% yield). The authors also reported the first example of gold-catalyzed silylative pinacol coupling. Thus, the reaction of carbonyl compounds 4 and hydrosilanes 2 using the Au/Al₂O₃ catalyst (Au_MVS) afforded the pinacol-type products 5 (meso/dl = 50:50) together with hydrosilylated products 6 (5:6 selectivity up to 80:20).