Organoaluminum cations for carbonyl activation

• DOI: 10.1039/c9cc08272g
• Publication Date: 2019-11-12T14:03:52Z
• Authors: Ramkumar Kannan; Raju Chambenahalli; Sandeep Kumar; Athul Krishna; Alex P. Andrews; Eluvathingal D. J...; Ajay Venugopal
• Keywords: 01 natural sciences; Inorganic & Physical Chemistry; 0104 chemical sciences

In search of stable, yet reactive aluminum Lewis acids, we have isolated an organoaluminum cation, [(Me2NC6H4)2Al(C4H8O)2]+, coordinated with two labile tetrahydrofuran ligands. Its catalytic performance in aldehyde dimerization reveals turn-over frequencies reaching up to 6000 h-1, exceeding that the reported main group catalysts. The cation is further demonstrated catalyze hydroelementation ketones. Mechanistic investigations reveal and ketone hydrosilylation occur through carbonyl activation.