B(C6 F5 )3 /Amine-Catalyzed C(sp)-H Silylation of Terminal Alkynes with Hydrosilanes: Experimental and Theoretical Studies.

Transition metal catalyzed C-H functionalization of organic compounds has proved to be a useful atom-efficient strategy in organic synthesis. In contrast, main-group-element-based catalytic processes for C-H functionalization have remained underexplored to date. Reported herein is the catalytic C(sp)-H silylation of a wide range of terminal alkynes with hydrosilanes by using a combination of B(C6 F5 )3 and an organic base such as triethylenediamine (DABCO). This protocol constitutes the first example of boron-catalyzed C(sp)-H functionalization, offering a convenient route for the synthesis of a variety of alkynylsilanes. Experimental and computational studies have revealed that DABCO plays two crucial roles (Lewis base and Brønsted base) in this catalytic transformation.