Dehydrogenative silylation of amines and hydrosilylation of imines catalyzed by ytterbium-imine complexes

Dehydrogenative silylation of primary and secondary amines with triphenylsi lane was catalyzed by ytterbium-imine complexes, [Yb(eta(2)-Ph2CNAr)(hmpa)( n)], to give aminosilanes in good yields. In the reaction with diphenyl- an d phenylsilanes, diaminosilanes were formed as major products. Whereas n- a nd sec-alkylamines were readily silylated, tert-alkylamines and aromatic am ines exhibited lower reactivities. Moreover, hydrosilylation of imines has been achieved by using phenylsilane and the imine complexes (Ar = Ph, C6H4F -4), giving rise to mono- and diaminosilanes. The two reactions were in agr eement as regards the product selectivities and yields.