REUSABLE HOMOGENEOUS COBALT PYRIDINE DIIMINE CATALYSTS FOR DEHYDROGENATIVE SILYLATION AND TANDEM DEHYDROGENATIVE-SILYLATION-HYDROGENATION

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/819,761 filed on May 6, 2013, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. This application also claims priority as a continuation-in-part application of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/966,568 filed on Aug. 14, 2013, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/819,753 filed on May 6, 2013 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/683,882 filed on Aug. 16, 2012, each of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

This invention relates generally to transition metal-containing compounds, more specifically to cobalt complexes containing pyridine di-imine ligands and their utility as efficient and reusable catalysts for dehydrogenative silylation and tandem dehydrogenative-silylation-hydrogenation.

Hydrosilylation chemistry, typically involving a reaction between a silyl hydride and an unsaturated organic group, is the basis for synthetic routes to produce commercial silicone-based products like silicone surfactants, silicone fluids and silanes as well as many addition cured products like sealants, adhesives, and silicone-based coating products. See, for example, US Patent Application Publication 2011/0009573A1 to Delis et al. Typical hydrosilylation reactions use precious metal catalysts to catalyze the addition of a silyl-hydride (Si—H) to an unsaturated group, such as an olefin. In these reactions, the resulting product is a silyl-substituted, saturated compound. In most of these cases, the addition of the silyl group proceeds in an anti-Markovnikov manner, i.e., to the less substituted carbon atom of the unsaturated group. Most precious metal catalyzed hydrosilylations only work well with terminally unsaturated olefins, as internal unsaturations are generally non-reactive or only poorly reactive. There are currently only limited methods for the general hydrosilylation of olefins where after the addition of the Si—H group there still remains an unsaturation in the original substrate. This reaction, termed a dehydrogenative silylation, has potential uses in the synthesis of new silicone materials, such as silanes, silicone fluids, crosslinked silicone elastomers, and silylated or silicone-crosslinked organic polymers such as polyolefins, unsaturated polyesters, and the like. Various precious metal complex catalysts are known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,775,452 discloses a platinum complex containing unsaturated siloxanes as ligands. This type of catalyst is known as Karstedt's catalyst. Other exemplary platinum-based hydrosilylation catalysts that have been described in the literature include Ashby's catalyst as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,159,601, Lamoreaux's catalyst as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,220,972, and Speier's catalyst as disclosed in Speier, J. L, Webster J. A. and Barnes G. H., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 79, 974 (1957).

There are examples of the use of Fe(CO)₅to promote limited hydrosilylations and dehydrogenative silylations. (See Nesmeyanov, A. N.; Freidlina, R. Kh.; Chukovskaya, E. C.; Petrova, R. G.; Belyaysky, A. B. Tetrahedron 1962, 17, 61 and Marciniec, B.; Majchrzak, M. Inorg. Chem. Commun. 2000, 3, 371). The use of Fe₃(CO)₁₂was also found to exhibit dehydrogenative silylation in the reaction of Et₃SiH and styrene. (Kakiuchi, F.; Tanaka, Y.; Chatani, N.; Murai, S. J. Organomet. Chem. 1993, 456, 45). Also, several cyclopentadiene iron complexes have been used to varying degrees of success, with the work of Nakazawa, et al showing interesting intramolecular dehydrogenative silylation/hydrogenation when used with 1,3-di-vinyldisiloxanes. (Roman N Naumov, Masumi Itazaki, Masahiro Kamitani, and Hiroshi Nakazawa, Journal of the American chemical Society, 2012, Volume 134, Issue 2, Pages 804-807)).

A rhodium complex was found to give low to moderate yields of allyl-silanes and vinyl silanes. (Doyle, M. P.; Devora G. A.; Nevadov, A. O.; High, K. G. Organometallics, 1992, 11, 540-555). An iridium complex was also found to give vinyl silanes in good yields. (Falck, J. R.; Lu, B, J. Org Chem, 2010, 75, 1701-1705.) Allyl silanes could be prepared in high yields using a rhodium complex (Mitsudo, T.; Watanabe, Y.; Hori, Y. Bull. Chem. Soc. Jpn. 1988, 61, 3011-3013). Vinyl silanes could be prepared through the use of a rhodium catalyst (Murai, S.; Kakiuchi, F.; Nogami, K.; Chatani, N.; Seki, Y. Organometallics, 1993, 12, 4748-4750). Dehydrogenative silylation was found to occur when iridium complexes were used (Oro, L. A.; Fernandez, M. J.; Esteruelas, M. A.; Jiminez, M. S. J. Mol. Catalysis, 1986, 37, 151-156 and Oro, L. A.; Fernandez, M. J.; Esteruelas, M. A.; Jiminez, M. S. Organometallics, 1986, 5, 1519-1520). Vinyl silanes could also be produced using ruthenium complexes (Murai, S.; Seki, Y.; Takeshita, K.; Kawamoto, K.; Sonoda, N. J. Org. Chem. 1986, 51, 3890-3895.).

A palladium-catalyzed silyl-Heck reaction was recently reported to result in the formation of allyl-silanes and vinyl silanes (McAtee J R, et al., Angewandte Chemie, International Edition in English (Mar. 1, 2012)).

U.S. Pat. No. 5,955,555 discloses the synthesis of certain iron or cobalt pyridine di-imine (PDI) dianion complexes. The preferred anions are chloride, bromide and tetrafluoroborate. U.S. Pat. No. 7,442,819 discloses iron and cobalt complexes of certain tricyclic ligands containing a “pyridine” ring substituted with two imino groups. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,461,994, 6,657,026 and 7,148,304 disclose several catalyst systems containing certain transitional metal-PDI complexes. U.S. Pat. No. 7,053,020 discloses a catalyst system containing, inter alia, one or more bisarylimino pyridine iron or cobalt catalyst. However, the catalysts and catalyst systems disclosed in these references are described for use in the context of olefin polymerizations and/or oligomerisations, not in the context of dehydrogenative silylation reactions.

Many industrially important homogeneous metal catalysts suffer from the drawback that following consumption of the first charge of substrates, the catalytically active metal is lost to aggregation and agglomeration whereby its catalytic properties are substantially diminished via colloid formation or precipitation. This is a costly loss, especially for noble metals such as Pt. Heterogeneous catalysts are used to alleviate this problem but have limited use for polymers and also have lower activity than homogeneous counterparts. For example, it is well-known in the art and in the hydrosilylation industry that the two primary homogeneous catalysts, Speier's and Karstedt's often lose activity after catalyzing a charge of olefin and silyl- or siloxyhydride reaction. Further, many multistep organic transformations use different catalysts to catalyze separate steps. These catalysts must be tolerant of many species in the mixture, including catalysts used in previous steps, functional groups and by-products. If the number of catalysts could be reduced, and/or if one charge of the homogeneous catalyst could be re-used for multiple charges of substrates via appropriate process design, then cost advantages would be significant. Thus, if products produced via dehydrogenative silylation using one pre-catalyst could also be hydrogenated to saturated products using the active catalyst already present in the mixture, efficiency advantages would be significant, in addition to the flexibility to generate either unsaturated or saturated product classes from one substrate mixture for broader scope of commercial utility.

In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a process for producing a dehydrogenatively silylated product comprising reacting a mixture comprising (a) an unsaturated compound containing at least one unsaturated functional group, (b) a silyl hydride containing at least one silylhydride functional group, and (c) a catalyst, optionally in the presence of a solvent, in order to produce the dehydrogenatively silylated product, wherein the catalyst is a complex of the Formula (I) or an adduct thereof;

wherein

each occurrence of R¹, R², R³, R⁴, and R⁵is independently hydrogen, C1-C18 alkyl, a C1-C18 substituted alkyl, an aryl, a substituted aryl, or an inert substituent, wherein one or more of R¹-R⁵, other than hydrogen, optionally contain at least one heteroatom; each occurrence of R⁶and R⁷is independently C1-C18 alkyl, C1-C18 substituted alkyl, aryl or substituted aryl, wherein R⁶and R⁷optionally contain at least one heteroatom; optionally any two of R¹-R⁷vicinal to one another, R¹-R², and/or R⁴-R⁵taken together may form a ring being a substituted or unsubstituted, saturated or unsaturated cyclic structure, with the proviso that R¹-R⁷and R⁸-R⁶are not taken to form a terpyridine ring; and

L is hydroxyl, or a C1-C18 alkyl, C1-C18 substituted alkyl, aryl, or substituted aryl group, wherein L optionally contains at least one heteroatom.

In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a compound of Formula (II)

wherein

each occurrence of R¹, R², R³, R⁴, and R⁵is independently hydrogen, C1-C18 alkyl, a C1-C18 substituted alkyl, an aryl, a substituted aryl, or an inert substituent, wherein one or more of R¹-R⁵, other than hydrogen, optionally contain at least one heteroatom; each occurrence of R⁶and R⁷is independently C1-C18 alkyl, C1-C18 substituted alkyl, aryl or substituted aryl, wherein R⁶and R⁷optionally contain at least one heteroatom; optionally any two of R¹-R⁷vicinal to one another, R¹-R², and/or R⁴-R⁵taken together may form a ring being a substituted or unsubstituted, saturated or unsaturated cyclic structure, with the proviso that R¹-R⁷and R⁸-R⁶are not taken to form a terpyridine ring.

In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a process for producing a crosslinked material, comprising reacting a reaction mixture comprising (a) a silyl-hydride containing polymer, (b) a mono-unsaturated olefin, or an unsaturated polyolefin or mixtures thereof and (c) a catalyst, optionally in the presence of a solvent, in order to produce the crosslinked material, wherein the catalyst is a complex of the Formula (I) or an adduct thereof;

wherein

each occurrence of R¹, R², R³, R⁴, and R⁵is independently hydrogen, C1-C18 alkyl, a C1-C18 substituted alkyl, an aryl, a substituted aryl, or an inert substituent, wherein one or more of R¹-R⁵, other than hydrogen, optionally contain at least one heteroatom; each occurrence of R⁶and R⁷is independently C1-C18 alkyl, C1-C18 substituted alkyl, aryl or substituted aryl, wherein R⁶and R⁷optionally contain at least one heteroatom; optionally any two of R¹-R⁷vicinal to one another, R¹-R², and/or R⁴-R⁵taken together may form a ring being a substituted or unsubstituted, saturated or unsaturated cyclic structure, with the proviso that R¹-R⁷and R⁸-R⁶are not taken to form a terpyridine ring; and

L is hydroxyl, or a C1-C18 alkyl, C1-C18 substituted alkyl, aryl, or substituted aryl group, wherein L optionally contains at least one heteroatom.

In yet another aspect, this invention relates to the reusability of a single charge of catalyst for multiple and sequential charges of the unsaturated substrate and SiH compound for dehydrogenative silylation or for tandem hydrogenation of a dehydrogenatively silylated product formed, without the need for additional charges of catalyst.

The invention relates to cobalt complexes containing pyridine di-imine ligands and their use as efficient dehydrogenative silylation and crosslinking catalysts. In one embodiment of the invention, there is provided a complex of the Formulae (I) or (II) as illustrated above, wherein Co in any valence or oxidation state (e.g., +1, +2, or +3) for use in said dehydrogenative silylation and crosslinking reactions. In particular, according to one embodiment of the invention, a class of cobalt pyridine di-imine complexes has been found that are capable of dehydrogenative silylation reactions.

It has now been discovered that less expensive transition metal catalysts based on cobalt-diimine complexes can be reused to catalyze a fresh charge of substrates, or can be re-used to catalyze tandem dehydrogenative-silylation-hydrogentation in the same vessel without the need to isolate or purify the intermediate dehydrogenative silylation product. The stability of the catalysts of the present invention can allow for more efficient industrial silylation processes at lower cost.

By “alkyl” herein is meant to include straight, branched and cyclic alkyl groups. Specific and non-limiting examples of alkyls include, but are not limited to, methyl, ethyl, propyl and isobutyl.

By “substituted alkyl” herein is meant an alkyl group that contains one or more substituent groups that are inert under the process conditions to which the compound containing these groups is subjected. The substituent groups also do not substantially or deleteriously interfere with the process.

By “aryl” herein is meant a non-limiting group of any aromatic hydrocarbon from which one hydrogen atom has been removed. An aryl may have one or more aromatic rings, which may be fused, connected by single bonds or other groups. Specific and non-limiting examples of aryls include, but are not limited to, tolyl, xylyl, phenyl and naphthalenyl.

By “substituted aryl” herein is meant an aromatic group substituted as set forth in the above definition of “substituted alkyl.” Similar to an aryl, a substituted aryl may have one or more aromatic rings, which may be fused, connected by single bonds or other groups; however, when the substituted aryl has a heteroaromatic ring, the free valence in the substituted aryl group can be to a heteroatom (such as nitrogen) of the heteroaromatic ring instead of a carbon. If not otherwise stated, it is preferred that substituted aryl groups herein contain 1 to about 30 carbon atoms.

By “alkenyl” herein is meant any straight, branched, or cyclic alkenyl group containing one or more carbon-carbon double bonds, where the point of substitution can be either a carbon-carbon double bond or elsewhere in the group. Specific and non-limiting examples of alkenyls include, but are not limited to, vinyl, propenyl, allyl, methallyl, ethylidenyl norbornane.

By “alkynyl” is meant any straight, branched, or cyclic alkynyl group containing one or more carbon-carbon triple bonds, where the point of substitution can be either at a carbon-carbon triple bond or elsewhere in the group.

By “unsaturated” is meant one or more double or triple bonds. In a preferred embodiment, it refers to carbon-carbon double or triple bonds.

By “inert substituent” herein is meant a group other than hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl, which is inert under the process conditions to which the compound containing the group is subjected. The inert substituents also do not substantially or deleteriously interfere with any process described herein that the compound in which they are present may take part in. Examples of inert substituents include halo (fluoro, chloro, bromo, and iodo), ether such as —OR⁸wherein R⁸is hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl.

By “hetero atoms” herein is meant any of the Group 13-17 elements except carbon, and can include for example oxygen, nitrogen, silicon, sulfur, phosphorus, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine.

By “olefin” herein is meant any aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon also containing one or more aliphatic carbon-carbon unsaturations. Such olefins may be linear, branched or cyclic and may be substituted with heteroatoms as described above, with the proviso that the substituents do not interfere substantially or deleteriously with the course of the desired reaction to produce the dehydrogenatively silylated product. In one embodiment, the unsaturated compound useful as a reactant in the dehydrogenative silylation is an organic compound having the structural group, R₂C═C—CHR, where R is an organic fragment or hydrogen.

As used herein, the term room temperature can refer to a temperature of from about 23° C. to about 30° C.

As indicated above, the present invention is directed to a process for producing a dehydrogenatively silylated product comprising reacting a mixture comprising (a) an unsaturated compound containing at least one unsaturated functional group, (b) a silyl hydride containing at least one silylhydride functional group, and (c) a catalyst, optionally in the presence of a solvent, in order to produce the dehydrogenative silylated product, wherein the catalyst is a complex of the Formula (I) or an adduct thereof;

wherein

• • each occurrence of R¹, R², R³, R⁴, and R⁵is independently hydrogen, C1-C18 alkyl, a C1-C18 substituted alkyl, an aryl, a substituted aryl, or an inert substituent, wherein one or more of R¹-R⁵, other than hydrogen, optionally contain at least one heteroatom; each occurrence of R⁶and R⁷is independently C1-C18 alkyl, C1-C18 substituted alkyl, aryl or substituted aryl, wherein R⁶and R⁷optionally contain at least one heteroatom; optionally any two of R¹-R⁷vicinal to one another, R¹-R², and/or R⁴-R⁵taken together may form a ring being a substituted or unsubstituted, saturated or unsaturated cyclic structure, with the proviso that R¹-R⁷and R⁸-R⁶are not taken to form a terpyridine ring; and

L is hydroxyl, or a C1-C18 alkyl, C1-C18 substituted alkyl, aryl, or substituted aryl group, wherein L optionally contains at least one heteroatom.

The catalyst utilized in the process of the present invention is illustrated in Formula (I) above wherein Co is in any valence or oxidation state (e.g., +1, +2, or +3). In one embodiment, at least one of R⁶and R⁷is

• • wherein each occurrence of R⁹, R¹⁰, R¹¹, R¹², and R¹³is independently hydrogen, C1-C18 alkyl, C1-C18 substituted alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, or an inert substituent, wherein R⁹-R¹³, other than hydrogen, optionally contain at least one heteroatom. R⁹and R¹³may further include independently methyl, ethyl or isopropyl groups and R¹¹may be hydrogen or methyl. In one particularly preferred embodiment, R⁹, R¹¹, and R¹³are each methyl; R¹and R⁵may independently be methyl or phenyl groups; and R², R³and R⁴may be hydrogen.

One particularly preferred embodiment of the catalyst of the process of the invention is the compound of Formula (II)

wherein

each occurrence of R¹, R², R³, R⁴, and R⁵is independently hydrogen, C1-C18 alkyl, a C1-C18 substituted alkyl, an aryl, a substituted aryl, or an inert substituent, wherein one or more of R¹-R⁵, other than hydrogen, optionally contain at least one heteroatom; each occurrence of R⁶and R⁷is independently C1-C18 alkyl, C1-C18 substituted alkyl, aryl or substituted aryl, wherein R⁶and R⁷optionally contain at least one heteroatom; optionally any two of R¹-R⁷vicinal to one another, R¹-R², and/or R⁴-R⁵taken together may form a ring being a substituted or unsubstituted, saturated or unsaturated cyclic structure, with the proviso that R¹-R⁷and R⁸-R⁶are not taken to form a terpyridine ring.

Various methods can be used to prepare the catalyst utilized in the process of the present invention. In one embodiment, the catalyst is generated in-situ by contacting a catalyst precursor with an activator in the presence of a liquid medium containing at least one component selected from the group consisting of a solvent, the silyl hydride, the compound containing at least one unsaturated group, and combinations thereof, wherein the catalyst precursor is represented by structural Formula (III)

wherein

each occurrence of R¹, R², R³, R⁴, and R⁵is independently hydrogen, C1-C18 alkyl, a C1-C18 substituted alkyl, an aryl, a substituted aryl, or an inert substituent, wherein one or more of R¹-R⁵, other than hydrogen, optionally contain at least one heteroatom; each occurrence of R⁶and R⁷is independently C1-C18 alkyl, C1-C18 substituted alkyl, aryl or substituted aryl, wherein R⁶and R⁷optionally contain at least one heteroatom; optionally any two of R¹-R⁷vicinal to one another, R¹-R², and/or R⁴-R⁵taken together may form a ring being a substituted or unsubstituted, saturated or unsaturated cyclic structure, with the proviso that R¹-R⁷and R⁸-R⁶are not taken to form a terpyridine ring; and

X is an anion selected from the group consisting of F⁻, Cl⁻, Br⁻, I⁻, CF₃R¹⁴SO₃⁻or R¹⁵COO⁻, wherein R¹⁴is a covalent bond or a C1-C6 alkylene group, and R¹⁵is a C1-C10 substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl group.

The activator may be a reducing agent or an alkylating agent such as NaHBEt₃, CH₃Li, DIBAL-H, LiHMDS, a Grignard reagent as well as combinations thereof. Preferably, the reducing agent has a reduction potential more negative than −0.6 v (versus ferrocene, as described in Chem. Rev. 1996, 96, 877-910. A larger negative number represents a larger reduction potential). Preferably, the reduction potential ranges from −0.76 V to −2.71V. The most preferred reducing agents have a reduction potential in the range of −2.8 to −3.1 V.

The methods to prepare the catalysts are known to a person skilled in the field. For example, the catalysts can be prepared by reacting a PDI ligand with a metal halide, such as FeBr₂as disclosed in US Patent Application Publication 2011/0009573A1. Typically, the PDI ligands are produced through condensation of an appropriate amine or aniline with 2,6-diacetylpyridine and its derivatives. If desired, the PDI ligands can be further modified by known aromatic substitution chemistry.

In the process of the invention, the catalysts can be unsupported or immobilized on a support material, for example, carbon, silica, alumina, MgCl₂or zirconia, or on a polymer or prepolymer, for example polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, poly(aminostyrene), or sulfonated polystyrene. The metal complexes can also be supported on dendrimers.

In some embodiments, for the purposes of attaching the metal complexes of the invention to a support, it is desirable that at least one of R¹to R⁷of the metal complexes has a functional group that is effective to covalently bond to the support. Exemplary functional groups include but are not limited to SH, COOH, NH₂or OH groups.

In one embodiment, silica supported catalyst may be prepared via Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization (ROMP) technology as discussed in the literature, for example Macromol. Chem. Phys. 2001, 202, No. 5, pages 645-653; Journal of Chromatography A, 1025 (2003) 65-71.

One way to immobilize catalysts on the surface of dendrimers is by the reaction of S1-C1 bonded parent dendrimers and functionalized PDI in the presence of a base is as illustrated by Kim et al. in Journal of Organometallic Chemistry 673 (2003) 77-83.

The unsaturated compound containing at least one unsaturated functional group utilized in the process of the invention can be a compound having one, two, three, or more unsaturations. Examples of such unsaturated compounds include an olefin, a cycloalkene, unsaturated polyethers such as an alkyl-capped allyl polyether, a vinyl-functional alkyl-capped allyl or methallyl polyether, an alkyl-capped terminally unsaturated amine, an alkyne, terminally unsaturated acrylate or methacrylate, unsaturated aryl ether, vinyl-functionalized polymer or oligomer, vinyl-functionalized silane, vinyl-functionalized silicone, unsaturated fatty acids, unsaturated esters, and combinations thereof.

Unsaturated polyethers suitable for the dehydrogenative silylation reaction preferably are polyoxyalkylenes having the general formula:

R¹⁶(OCH₂CH₂)_z(OCH₂CHR³)_w—OR¹⁷  (Formula IV) or

R¹⁷O(CHR¹⁸CH₂O)_w(CH₂CH₂O)_z—CR¹⁹₂—C≡C—CR¹⁹₂—(OCH₂CH₂)_z(OCH₂CHR³)_wR²  (Formula V) or

H₂C═CR¹⁹CH₂—O—(CH₂CH₂O)_z(CH₂CHR¹⁸O)_wCH₂CR¹⁹═CH₂  (Formula VI)

wherein R¹⁶denotes an unsaturated organic group containing from 2 to 10 carbon atoms such as allyl, methylallyl, propargyl or 3-pentynyl. When the unsaturation is olefinic, it is desirably terminal to facilitate smooth dehydrogenative silylation. However, when the unsaturation is a triple bond, it may be internal. R¹⁷is hydrogen, vinyl, or a polyether capping group of from 1 to 8 carbon atoms such as the alkyl groups: CH₃, n-C₄H₉, t-C₄H₉or i-C₈H₁₇, the acyl groups such as CH₃COO, t-C₄H₉COO, the beta-ketoester group such as CH₃C(O)CH₂C(O)O, or a trialkylsilyl group. R¹⁸and R¹⁹are monovalent hydrocarbon groups such as the C1-C20 alkyl groups, for example, methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, 2-ethylhexyl, dodecyl and stearyl, or the aryl groups, for example, phenyl and naphthyl, or the alkaryl or aralkyl groups, for example, benzyl, phenylethyl and nonylphenyl, or the cycloalkyl groups, for example, cyclohexyl and cyclooctyl. R¹⁹may also be hydrogen. Methyl is the most preferred R¹⁸and R¹⁹groups. Each occurrence of z is 0 to 100 inclusive and each occurrence of w is 0 to 100 inclusive. Preferred values of z and w are 1 to 50 inclusive.

Specific examples of preferred unsaturated compounds useful in the process of the present invention include N,N-dimethylallyl amine, allyloxy-substituted polyethers, propylene, 1-butene, 1-hexene, styrene, vinylnorbornane, 5-vinyl-norbornene, long-chain, linear alpha olefins such as 1-octadecene, internal olefins such as cyclopentene, cyclohexene, norbornene, and 3-hexene, branched olefins such as isobutylene and 3-methyl-1-octene, unsaturated polyolefins, e.g., polybutadiene, polyisoprene and EPDM, unsaturated acids or esters such as oleic acid, linoleic acid and methyl oleate, a vinyl siloxane of the Formula (VII), and combinations thereof, wherein Formula (VII) is

wherein each occurrence of R²⁰is independently a C1-C18 alkyl, C1-C18 substituted alkyl, vinyl, C3-C18 terminal alkenyl, aryl, or a substituted aryl, and n is greater than or equal to zero. As defined herein, “internal olefin” means an olefin group not located at a chain or branch terminus, such as 3-hexene.

The silyl hydride employed in the reaction is not particularly limited. It can be any compound selected from the group consisting of R_aSiR_4-a, (RO)_aSiR_4-a, Q_uT_vT_p^HD_wD^H_xM^H_yM_z, and combinations thereof. The silyl hydride can contain linear, branched or cyclic structures, or combinations thereof. As used herein, each occurrence of R is independently C1-C18 alkyl, C1-C18 substituted alkyl, wherein R optionally contains at least one heteroatom, each occurrence of a independently has a value from 1 to 3, each of p, u, v, y and z independently has a value from 0 to 20, w and x are from 0 to 500, provided that p+x+y equals 1 to 500 and the valences of the all the elements in the silyl hydride are satisfied. Preferably, p, u, v, y, and z are from 0 to 10, w and x are from 0 to 100, wherein p+x+y equals 1 to 100.

As used herein, an “M” group represents a monofunctional group of formula R′₃SiO_1/2, a “D” group represents a difunctional group of formula R′₂SiO_2/2, a “T” group represents a trifunctional group of formula R′SiO_3/2, and a “Q” group represents a tetrafunctional group of formula SiO_4/2, an “M^H” group represents HR′₂SiO_1/2, a “T^H” represents HSiO_3/2, and a “D^H” group represents R′HSiO_2/2. Each occurrence of R′ is independently C1-C18 alkyl, C1-C18 substituted alkyl, wherein R′ optionally contains at least one heteroatom.

Examples of silyl hydrides containing at least one silylhydride functional group include R_aSiR_4-a, (RO)_aSiH_4-a, HSiR_a(OR)_3-a, R₃Si(CH₂)_f(SiR₂₀)_kSiR₂H, (RO)₃Si(CH₂)_f(SiR₂O)_kSiR₂H, Q_uT_vT_p^HD_wD^H_xM^H_yM_z, and combinations thereof, wherein Q is SiO_4/2, T is R′SiO_3/2, T^His HSiO_3/2, D is R′₂SiO_2/2, D^His R′HSiO_2/2, M^His HR′₂SiO_1/2, M^His R′₃SiO_1/2, each occurrence of R and R′ is independently C1-C18 alkyl, C1-C18 substituted alkyl, aryl, or substituted aryl, wherein R and R′ optionally contain at least one heteroatom, each occurrence of a independently has a value from 1 to 3, f has a value of 1 to 8, k has a value of 1 to 11, p is from 0 to 20, u is from 0 to 20, v is from 0 to 20, w is from 0 to 1000, x is from 0 to 1000, y is from 0 to 20, and is from 0 to 20, provided that p+x+y equals 1 to 3000, and the valences of the all the elements in the silyl hydride are satisfied. In the above formulations, p, u, v, y, and z may also be from 0 to 10, w and x may be from 0 to 100, wherein p+x+y equals 1 to 100.

In one embodiment, the silyl hydride has one of the following structures:

wherein each occurrence of R²¹, R²², R²³, R²⁴, and R²⁵is independently a C1-C18 alkyl, C1-C18 substituted alkyl, aryl, or substituted aryl, R²⁶is hydrogen, a C1-C18 alkyl, C1-C18 substituted alkyl, aryl, or substituted aryl, x and w are independently greater than or equal to 0 (x is at least equal to 1 for Formula IX)), and a and b are integers from 0 to 3 provided that a+b=3.

The catalysts of the invention are useful for catalyzing dehydrogenative silylation reactions. For example, when an appropriate silyl hydride, such as triethoxysilane, triethyl-silane, MD^HM, or a silyl-hydride functional polysiloxane (SL 6020 from Momentive Performance Materials, Inc., for example) are reacted with a mono-unsaturated hydrocarbon, such as octene, dodecene, butene, etc, in the presence of the Co catalyst, the resulting product is a terminally-silyl-substituted alkene, where the unsaturation is in a beta position relative to the silyl group. A by-product of this reaction is the hydrogenated olefin. When the reaction is performed with a molar ratio of silane to olefin of 0.5:1, the resulting products are formed in a 1:1 ratio. An example is shown in the reaction scheme below.

The reactions are typically facile at ambient temperatures and pressures, but can also be run at lower or higher temperatures (0 to 300° C.) or pressures (ambient to 3000 psi). A range of unsaturated compounds can be used in this reaction, such as N,N-dimethylallyl amine, allyloxy-substituted polyethers, cyclohexene, and linear alpha olefins (i.e., 1-butene, 1-octene, 1-dodecene, etc.). When an alkene containing internal double bonds is used, the catalyst is capable of first isomerizing the olefin, with the resulting reaction product being the same as when the terminally-unsaturated alkene is used.

If the reaction is run with a 1:1 silyl-hydride to olefin ratio, the reaction can give a bis-substituted silane, where the silyl groups are in the terminal positions of the compound, and there is still an unsaturated group present in the product.

If the catalyst is first used to prepare a terminally-substituted silyl-alkene, a second silane may be added to produce an asymmetrically substituted bis-silyl alkene. The resulting silane is terminally substituted at both ends. This bis-silane can be a useful starting material for the production of alpha,omega-substituted alkanes or alkenes, such as diols and other compounds easily derived from the silylated product. Long chain alpha,omega-substituted alkanes or alkenes are not easily prepared today, and could have a variety of uses for preparing unique polymers (such as polyurethanes) or other useful compounds.

Because the double bond of an alkene is preserved during the dehydrogenative silylation reaction employing these cobalt catalysts, a singly-unsaturated olefin may be used to crosslink silyl-hydride containing polymers. For example, a silyl-hydride polysiloxane, such as SL6020 (MD₁₅D^H₃₀M), may be reacted with 1-octene in the presence of the cobalt catalysts of this invention to produce a crosslinked, elastomeric material. A variety of new materials can be produced by this method by varying the hydride polymer and length of the olefin used for the crosslinking. Accordingly, the catalysts used in the process of the invention have utility in the preparation of useful silicone products, including, but not limited to, coatings, for example release coatings, room temperature vulcanizates, sealants, adhesives, products for agricultural and personal care applications, and silicone surfactants for stabilizing polyurethane foams.

Additionally, this invention also provides for tandem hydrogenation of the unsaturated product to saturated species simply via introducing hydrogen gas into the reaction vessel following the dehydrogenative silylation reaction.

Furthermore, the dehydrogenative silylation may be carried out on any of a number of unsaturated polyolefins, such as polybutadiene, polyisoprene or EPDM-type copolymers, to either functionalize these commercially important polymers with silyl groups or crosslink them via the use of hydrosiloxanes containing multiple SiH groups at lower temperatures than conventionally used. This offers the potential to extend the application of these already valuable materials in newer commercially useful areas.

In one embodiment, the catalysts are useful for dehydrogenative silylation of a composition containing a silyl hydride and a compound having at least one unsaturated group. The process includes contacting the composition with a metal complex of the catalyst, either supported or unsupported, to cause the silyl hydride to react with the compound having at least one unsaturated group to produce a dehydrogenative silylation product, which may contain the metal complex catalyst. The dehydrogenative silylation reaction can be conducted optionally in the presence of a solvent. If desired, when the dehydrogenative silylation reaction is completed, the metal complex can be removed from the reaction product by magnetic separation and/or filtration. These reactions may be performed neat, or diluted in an appropriate solvent. Typical solvents include benzene, toluene, diethyl ether, etc. It is preferred that the reaction is performed under an inert atmosphere. The catalyst can be generated in-situ by reduction using an appropriate reducing agent.

The catalyst complexes of the invention are efficient and selective in catalyzing dehydrogenative silylation reactions. For example, when the catalyst complexes of the invention are employed in the dehydrogenative silylation of an alkyl-capped allyl polyether or a compound containing an unsaturated group, the reaction products are essentially free of unreacted alkyl-capped allyl polyether and its isomerization products. In one embodiment, the reaction products do not contain the unreacted alkyl-capped allyl polyether and its isomerization products. Further, when the compound containing an unsaturated group is an unsaturated amine compound, the dehydrogenatively silylated product is essentially free of internal addition products and isomerization products of the unsaturated amine compound. As used herein, “essentially free” is meant no more than 10 wt %, preferably 5 wt % based on the total weight of the hydrosilylation product. “Essentially free of internal addition products” is meant that silicon is added to the terminal carbon.

In addition to the above catalytic processes, it has been discovered that the catalysts of the present invention offer two additional advantages. First, the catalysts of the present invention are not destroyed during the catalytic processes outlined above. The stability of these catalysts allows them to be used multiple times without loss of catalytic activity. For example, in one embodiment, it is possible to use the catalysts of the present invention to perform dehydrogenative silylation of a composition containing a silyl hydride and a compound having at least one unsaturated group as described above, and then subsequently add fresh reactants to the reaction vessel and continue the dehydrogenative silylation reaction using the same catalyst. Second, the catalysts of the present invention can be re-used to catalyze tandem dehydrogenative-silylation-hydrogentation in the same vessel without the need to isolate or purify the intermediate dehydrogenative silylation product. For example, in one embodiment, it is possible to use the catalysts of the present invention to perform dehydrogenative silylation of a composition containing a silyl hydride and a compound having at least one unsaturated group as described above, and then subsequently add hydrogen gas directly to the reaction vessel to effect a hydrogenation reaction using the same catalyst. This allows the flexibility to generate a dehydrogenatively silylated product or a saturated product in the same vessel without the need to transfer to another vessel or use another catalyst.

The catalyst loading can be chosen as desired for a particular purpose or intended application. In one embodiment, the catalyst is present in an amount of from about 0.1 mol % to about 5 mol %; from about 0.5 mol % to about 3 mol %; even from about 1 mol % to about 5 mol %. Here as elsewhere in the specification and claims, numerical values can be combined to form new and non-disclosed or non-specified ranges. The catalyst loadings expressed as mol % of the cobalt complex are based on the moles of cobalt complex in relation to the moles of unsaturated compound and can be evaluated expressed by (mol_{Co complex}/mol_olefin×100).

The following examples are intended to illustrate, but in no way limit the scope of the present invention. All parts and percentages are by weight and all temperatures are in degrees Celsius unless explicitly stated otherwise. All the publications and the US patents referred to in the application are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

All air- and moisture-sensitive manipulations were carried out using standard vacuum line, Schlenk, and cannula techniques or in an MBraun inert atmosphere dry box containing an atmosphere of purified nitrogen. Solvents for air- and moisture-sensitive manipulations were initially dried and deoxygenated using literature procedures (Pangborn, A B et al., to Organometallics 15:1518 (1996)). Chloroform-d and benzene-d₆were purchased from Cambridge Isotope Laboratories. The complexes (^iPrPDI)CoN₂, (Bowman A C et al., JACS 132:1676 (2010)), (^EtPDI)CoN₂, (Bowman A C et al., JACS 132:1676 (2010)), (^iPrPDI)CoN₂, (Bowman A C et al., JACS 132:1676 (2010)), (^MesPDI)CoCH₃(Humphries, MJ Organometallics 24:2039.2 (2005)), (^MesPDI)CoCl, (Humphries, MJ Organometallics 24:2039.2 (2005)) [(^MesPDI)CoN₂][MeB(C6F₅)₃] (Gibson, V C et al., J. Chem. Comm. 2252 (2001)), and [(^MesPDI)CoCH₃][BArF₂₄] (Atienza, C C H et al., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 50:8143 (2011)) were prepared according to reported literature procedures. Bis(trimethylsiloxy)methylsilane (MD^HM), (EtO)₃SiH and Et₃SiH were acquired from Momentive Performance Materials and were distilled from calcium hydride before use. The substrates, 1-octene (TCI America), tert-butylethylene or TBE (Alfa Aesar), N,N-dimethylallylamine (TCI America) and styrene (Alfa Aesar) were dried on calcium hydride and distilled under reduced pressure before use. 1-Butene (TCI America), allylamine (Alfa Aesar) and allylisocyanate (Alfa Aesar) were dried over 4 Å molecular sieves. SilForce® SL6100 (M^viD₁₂₀M^vi), SilForce® SL6020 (MD₁₅D^H₃₀M) and the allyl polyethers were acquired from Momentive Performance Materials and dried under high vacuum for 12 hours before use.

¹H NMR spectra were recorded on Inova 400 and 500 spectrometers operating at 399.78, and 500.62 MHz, respectively.¹³C NMR spectra were recorded on an Inova 500 spectrometer operating at 125.893 MHz. All¹H and¹³C NMR chemical shifts are reported relative to SiMe₄using the¹H (residual) and¹³C chemical shifts of the solvent as a secondary standard. The following abbreviations and terms are used: bs—broad singlet; s—singlet; t—triplet; bm—broad multiplet; GC—Gas Chromatography; MS—Mass Spectroscopy; THF—tetrahydrofuran

GC analyses were performed using a Shimadzu GC-2010 gas chromatograph equipped with a Shimadzu AOC-20s autosampler and a Shimadzu SHRXI-5MS capillary column (15m×250 μm). The instrument was set to an injection volume of 1 μL, an inlet split ratio of 20:1, and inlet and detector temperatures of 250° C. and 275° C., respectively. UHP-grade helium was used as carrier gas with a flow rate of 1.82 mL/min. The temperature program used for all the analyses is as follows: 60° C., 1 min; 15° C./min to 250° C., 2 min.

Catalyst loadings in the following text are reported in mol % of the cobalt complex (mol_{Co complex}/mol_olefin×100).

This compound was prepared in a manner similar to the synthesis of (^iPrPDI)CoN₂(Bowman, supra) with 0.500 g (0.948 mmol) of (^MesPDI)CoCl₂, 0.110 g (4.75 mmol, 5.05 equiv) of sodium and 22.0 g (108 mmol, 114 equiv) of mercury. Recrystallization from 3:1 pentane/toluene yielded 0.321 g (70%) of very dark teal crystals identified as (^MesPDI)CoN₂. Analysis for C27H₃₁N₅Co: Calc. C, 66.93; H, 6.45; N, 14.45. Found. C, 66.65; H, 6.88; N, 14.59.¹H NMR (benzene-d₆): 3.58 (15 Hz), 4.92 (460 Hz). IR (benzene): υ_NN=2089 cm⁻¹.

A 20 mL scintillation vial was charged with 0.100 g (0.203 mmol) of (^MesPDI)CoCl, 0.012 g (0.30 mmol, 1.5 equiv) of NaOH, and approximately 10 mL THF. The reaction was stirred for two days upon which the color of the solution changed from dark pink to red. THF was removed in vacuo and the residue was dissolved in approximately 20 mL toluene. The resulting solution was filtered through Celite and the solvent was removed from the filtrate in vacuo. Recrystallization of the crude product from 3:1 pentane/toluene yielded 0.087 g (90%) of dark pink crystals identified as (^MesPDI)CoOH. The compound is dichroic in solution exhibiting a pink color with a green hue. Analysis for C27H₃₂CoN₃O: Calc. C, 68.49; H, 6.81; N, 8.87. Found. C, 68.40; H, 7.04; N, 8.77.¹H NMR (benzene-d₆): δ=0.26 (s, 6H, C(CH₃)), 1.07 (s, 1H, CoOH), 2.10 (s, 12H, o-CH₃), 2.16 (s, 6H, p-CH₃), 6.85 (s, 4H, m-aryl), 7.49 (d, 2H, m-pyridine), 8.78 (t, 1H, p-pyridine).¹³C {¹H} NMR (benzene-d₆): δ=19.13 (o-CH₃), 19.42 (C(CH₃)), 21.20 (p-CH₃) 114.74 (p-pyridine), 121.96 (m-pyridine), 129.22 (m-aryl), 130.71 (o-aryl), 134.78 (p-aryl), 149.14 (i-aryl), 153.55 (o-pyridine), 160.78 (C═N). IR (benzene): υ_OH=3582 cm⁻¹.

In a nitrogen-filled drybox, a scintillation vial was charged with 0.100 g (0.891 mmol) of 1-octene and 0.009 mmol (1 mol %) of the cobalt complex (see Table 1 for specific amounts). 0.100 g (0.449 mmol, 0.50 equiv) of MD^HM was then added to the mixture and the reaction was stirred at room temperature for one hour/24 hours. The reaction was quenched by exposure to air and the product mixture was analyzed by gas chromatography and NMR spectroscopy.

In a nitrogen-filled drybox, a scintillation vial was charged with 0.100 g (0.891 mmol) of 1-octene and 0.009 mmol (1 mol %) of the cobalt complex [0.004 g (^MesPDI)CoCH₃or 0.004 g (^MesPDI)CoN₂]. 0.449 mmol (0.5 equiv) of the silane (0.100 g MD^HM, 0.075 g (EtO)₃SiH or 0.052 g Et₃SiH) was then added to the mixture and the reaction was stirred at room temperature for the desired amount of time. The reaction was quenched by exposure to air and the product mixture was analyzed by gas chromatography and NMR spectroscopy. Results are shown in Table 2

A 20 mL scintillation vial was charged with 0.100 g (0.891 mmol) of 1-octene, 0.100 g (0.449 mmol) MD^HM and 0.005 g (0.009 mmol, 1 mol %) of (^MesPDI)CoCl₂. 0.019 mmol (2 mol %) of the activator (0.019 mL of 1.0 M NaHBEt₃in toluene; 0.012 mL of 1.6 M CH₃Li in diethyl ether; 0.019 mL of 1.0 M DIBAL-H in toluene; 0.003 g LiHMDS) was then added to the mixture and the reaction was stirred for 1 hour at room temperature. The reaction was quenched by exposure to air followed by analysis of the mixture by GC. In all cases, full conversion of 1-octene to an approximately 1:1 mixture of 1-bis(trimethylsiloxy)methylsilyl-2-octene and octane was observed.

The reactions were carried out in a manner similar to silylation of 1-octene using 0.100 g (0.891 mmol) of cis- or trans-4-octene and 0.009 mmol (1 mol %) of the cobalt complex (0.004 g of (^MesPDI)CoCH₃), and 0.629 mmol (0.5 equiv) of the silane (0.100 g MD^HM, 0.075 g (EtO)₃SiH or 0.052 g Et₃SiH). The reactions were stirred at room temperature for 24 hours and then quenched by exposure to air and the product mixtures were analyzed by gas chromatography and NMR spectroscopy. Results are shown in Table 3.

In a nitrogen-filled drybox, a thick-walled glass vessel was charged with 0.200 g (1.78 mmol) of 1-octene and 0.400 g (1.80 mmol) of MD^HM. The solution was frozen in the cold well and 0.008 g (0.017 mmol, 1 mol %) of (^MesPDI)CoCH₃was added on the surface of the frozen solution. The reaction vessel was quickly capped, brought out of the drybox and placed in a Dewar filled with liquid nitrogen to keep the solution frozen. The vessel was degassed and approximately 1 atm of H₂was admitted. The solution was thawed and stirred at room temperature for one hour. The reaction was quenched by opening the glass vessel to air. Analysis of the product mixture by GC showed >98% conversion of 1-octene to octane (74%) and 1-bis(trimethylsiloxy)methylsilyloctane (24%).

A thick-walled glass vessel was charged with 0.449 mmol of the silane (0.100 g MD^HM, 0.075 g (EtO)₃SiH or 0.052 g Et₃SiH) and 0.004 g (0.009 mmol) of (^MesPDI)CoCH₃. The mixture was frozen in liquid nitrogen and the reaction vessel was degassed. 0.891 mmol of 1-butene was admitted into the vessel using a calibrated gas bulb. The mixture was thawed and stirred at room temperature for 1 hour. The volatiles were distilled into a J. Young tube containing CDCl₃and analyzed by NMR spectroscopy. The remaining residue was exposed to air and analyzed by GC and NMR spectroscopy. Results are shown in Table 4.

Characterization of Products:

¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ=0.00 and 0.01 (s, 2×3H, (OTMS)₂SiCH₃), 0.08 and 0.09 (s, 2×18H, OSi(CH₃)₃), 1.38 and 1.45 (d, 2×2H, SiCH₂CH═CH), 1.57 and 1.64 (d, 2×3H, CH═CHCH₃), 5.25 to 5.43 (m, 4×1H, CH═CH).¹³C {¹H} NMR (CDCl₃): δ=−0.44 and −0.60 ((OTMS)₂SiCH₃); 1.98 (OSi(CH₃)₃); 18.27 (CH═CHCH₃); 19.19 and 23.71 (SiCH₂CH═CH); 122.17, 124.12, 125.34, 126.09 (CH═CH).

¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ=1.21 (t, 2×9H, OCH₂CH₃), 1.55 and 1.60 (d, 2×2H, SiCH₂CH═CH), 1.61 and 1.62 (d, 2×3H, CH═CHCH₃), 3.81 and 3.82 (q, 2×6H, OCH₂CH₃), 5.38 to 5.48 (m, 4×1H, CH═CH).¹³C {¹H} NMR (CDCl₃): δ=11.84 (SiCH₂CH═CH); 18.20 and 18.23 (CH═CHCH₃); 18.36 and 18.38 (OCH₂CH₃); 58.64 and 58.65 (OCH₂CH₃); 123.33, 123.68, 124.46, 125.31 (CH═CH).

This reaction was carried out in a manner similar to the silylation of 1-butene using 0.100 g (0.449 mmol) of MD^HM, 0.004 g (0.009 mmol) of (^MesPDI)CoCH₃and 0.891 mmol of TBE. Analysis of the volatiles by¹H NMR spectroscopy showed a 4:1 mixture of unreacted TBE and 2,2-dimethylbutane (33% conversion). Analysis of the silane product by GC and NMR spectroscopy showed only trans-1-bis(trimethylsiloxy)methylsilyl-3,3-dimethyl-1-butene.¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ=0.00 (s, 3H, (OTMS)₂SiCH₃), 0.09 (s, 18H, OSi(CH₃)₃), 0.99 (s, 9H, C(CH₃)₃), 5.37 (d, J=19.07, 1H SiCH═CH), 6.13 (d, J=19.07 Hz, 1H, CH═CHC(CH₃)₃).¹³C {¹H} NMR (CDCl₃): δ=0.00 ((OTMS)₂SiCH₃); 2.01 (OSi(CH₃)₃); 28.96 (C(CH₃)₃); 34.91 (C(CH₃)₃); 121.01 (SiCH═CH); 159.23 (SiCH═CH).

In a nitrogen-filled drybox, a scintillation vial was charged with 0.090 g (1.1 mmol) of N,N-dimethylallylamine and 0.5 mmol (0.5 equiv) of the silane (0.118 g MD^HM, 0.087 g (EtO)₃SiH or 0.062 g Et₃SiH). 0.01 mmol (1 mol %) of the cobalt complex [0.005 g (^MesPDI)CoCH₃or 0.005 g (^MesPDI)CoN₂] was then added and the reaction was stirred for one hour at room temperature. The reaction was quenched by exposure to air and the product mixture was analyzed by NMR spectroscopy. Results are shown in Table 5.

Characterization of Products:

¹H NMR (benzene-d₆): δ=0.14 (s, 3H, (OTMS)₂SiCH₃), 0.18 (s, 18H, OSi(CH₃)₃), 1.50 (dd, J=7.7, 1.2 Hz, 2H, SiCH₂CH═CH), 2.35 (s, 6H, N(CH₃)₂), 4.25 (dt, J=13.6, 7.7 Hz, 1H, CH₂CH═CH), 5.80 (dt, J=13.6, 1.2 Hz, 1H, CH₂CH═CH).¹³C {¹H} NMR (benzene-d₆): δ=0.61 ((OTMS)₂SiCH₃), 2.12 (OSi(CH₃)₃), 20.49 (SiCH₂CH═CH), 41.08 (N(CH₃)₂), 94.09 (CH₂CH═CH), 140.57 (CH₂CH═CH).

¹H NMR (benzene-d₆): δ=1.18 (t, J=7.0, 9H, OCH₂CH₃), 1.66 (dd, J=7.5, 1.2 Hz, 2H, SiCH₂CH═CH), 2.30 (s, 6H, N(CH₃)₂), 3.84 (q, J=7.0, 6H, OCH₂CH₃), 4.31 (dt, J=13.6, 7.5 Hz, 1H, CH₂CH═CH), 5.85 (dt, J=13.6, 1.2 Hz, 1H, CH₂CH═CH).¹³C {¹H} NMR (benzene-d₆): δ=13.48 (SiCH₂CH═CH), 18.41 (OCH₂CH₃), 40.98 (N(CH₃)₂), 58.65 (OCH₂CH₃), 92.95 (CH₂CH═CH), 140.82 (CH₂CH═CH).

A scintillation vial was charged with 0.100 g of methyl capped allyl polyether having an average formula of H₂C═CHCH₂O(C2H₄O)_8.9CH₃(0.215 mmol) and 0.025 g (0.11 mmol, 0.5 equiv) of MD^HM. To the stirring solution of polyether and silane was added 1 mg (0.002 mmol; 1 mol %) of (^MesPDI)CoCH₃. The scintillation vial was sealed and removed from the drybox and placed in a 65° C. oil bath. The reaction mixture was stirred for 1 hour after which the vial was removed from the oil bath and the reaction was quenched by opening the vessel to air. Analysis of¹H NMR spectrum of the product established a 1:1 mixture of silylated product and propylpolyether.

(OTMS)₂Si(CH₃)CH₂CH═CHO(C2H₄O)_8.9CH₃.

¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ=−0.06 (s, 3H, (OTMS)₂SiCH₃), 0.03 (s, 18H, OSi(CH₃)₃), 1.55 (dd, J=7.8, 1.1 Hz, 2H, SiCH₂CH═CH), 3.32 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 3.5-3.7 (O—CH₂CH₂—O), 5.28 (dt, J=18.5, 1.1 Hz, 1H, CH₂CH═CH), 6.07 (dt, J=18.5, 7.8 Hz, 1H, CH₂CH═CH).¹³C {¹H} NMR (CDCl₃): δ=0.11 ((OTMS)₂SiCH₃), 1.65 (OSi(CH₃)₃), 29.24 (SiCH₂CH═CH), 59.00 (OCH₃), 70-72 (O—CH₂CH₂—O), 127.02 (CH₂CH═CH), 144.38 (CH₂CH═CH).

A scintillation vial was charged with 1.0 g of M^viD₁₂₀M^vi(SL 6100) in which M^viis vinyl dimethyl SiO, and 0.044 g of MD₁₅D^H₃₀M (SL 6020). In a second vial, a solution of the catalyst was prepared by dissolving 0.010 g of (^MesPDI)CoCH₃or (^MesPDI)CoN₂in approximately 0.300 g of toluene. The catalyst solution was added to a stirring solution of SL 6100 and SL 6020 and the reaction was monitored for gel formation. The resulting gel after quenching the reaction by exposure to air was softer than that obtained from the same reaction using Karstedt's compound as catalyst.

Polymer crosslinking under neat conditions was also investigated by adding 0.010 g of (^MesPDI)CoCH₃or (^MesPDI)CoN₂to a stirring solution of 1.0 g SL 6100 and 0.044 g SL 6020. Soft gels were also obtained from these reactions.

These reactions were carried out in a manner similar to those performed at room temperature, with the additional steps of sealing the scintillation vials, removing them from the drybox and placing them in a 65° C. oil bath. The resulting gels after quenching the reaction were indistinguishable from that obtained from the same reaction using Karstedt's compound as catalyst. Results are shown in Table 6.

Double Silylation Experiments

This experiment was performed in a manner similar to the silylation of 1-octene using 0.100 g (0.301 mmol) of 1-bis(trimethylsiloxy)methylsilyl-2-octene, 0.034 g (0.152 mmol, 0.51 equiv) of MD^HM, and 0.001 g (0.002 mmol, 1 mol %) of (^MesPDI)CoCH₃. The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 24 hours and quenched by exposure to air. Analysis of the mixture by GC-FID, GC-MS and NMR spectroscopy showed an approximately 1:1 mixture of 1-bis(trimethylsiloxy)methylsilyloctane and 1,8-bis(bis(trimethylsiloxy)methylsilyl)-2-octene (major isomer).

Attempts to silylate 1-triethoxysilyl-2-octene with MD^HM yielded a mixture of disilylated products concomitant with the formation of 1-triethoxysilyloctane. Silylation of 1-bis(trimethylsiloxy)methylsilyl-2-octene and 1-triethoxysilyl-2-octene with triethoxysilane under the same conditions yielded only the hydrogenated products, 1-bis(trimethylsiloxy)methylsilyloctane and 1-triethoxysilyloctane, respectively.

This experiment is performed in a manner similar to the silylation of 1-octene using 0.100 g (0.891 mmol) of 1-octene, 0.150 g (0.674 mmol, 0.756 equiv) of MD^HM and 0.004 g (0.008 mmol, 1 mol %) of (^MesPDI)CoCH₃. The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 24 hours and quenched by exposure to air. Analysis of the mixture by GC-FID showed a 1:0.5:0.5 mixture of octane, 1-bis(trimethylsiloxy)methylsilyloctane and 1,8-bis(bis(trimethylsiloxy)methylsilyl)-2-octene (major isomer), respectively.

This experiment was performed in a manner similar to the silylation of 1-bis(trimethylsiloxy)methylsilyl-2-octene using 0.100 g (0.361 mmol) of 1-bis(trimethylsiloxy)methylsilyl-2-butene, 0.040 g (0.18 mmol, 0.50 equiv) of MD^HM and 0.002 g (0.004 mmol, 1 mol %) of (^MesPDI)CoCH₃. The reaction was stirred for 24 hours and quenched by exposure to air. Analysis of the mixture by NMR spectroscopy showed the following product distribution: 50% 1-bis(trimethylsiloxy)methylsilylbutane; 26% trans-1,4-bis(bis(trimethylsiloxy)-methylsilyl)-2-butene; 17% cis-1,4-bis(bis(trimethylsiloxy)methylsilyl)-2-butene; 5% trans-1,3-bis(bis(trimethylsiloxy)methylsilyl)-1-butene; and, 2% trans-1,4-bis(bis(trimethylsiloxy)methylsilyl)-1-butene.

Characterization of Products:

¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ=0.01 (s, 3H, (OTMS)₂SiCH₃), 0.09 (s, 18H, OSi(CH₃)₃), 0.45 (m, 2H, SiCH₂CH₂CH₂CH₃), 0.88 (t, 3H, SiCH₂CH₂CH₂CH₃), 1.26-1.33 (m, 4H, SiCH₂CH₂CH₂CH₃).¹³C {¹H} NMR (CDCl₃): δ=−0.66 ((OTMS)₂SiCH₃), 2.02 (OSi(CH₃)₃), 13.98 (SiCH₂CH₂CH₂CH₃), 17.46 (SiCH₂CH₂CH₂CH₃), 25.35 and 26.36 (SiCH₂CH₂CH₂CH₃).

¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ=0.01 (s, 3H, (OTMS)₂SiCH₃), 0.09 (s, 18H, OSi(CH₃)₃), 1.39 (d, 4H, SiCH₂CH═CHCH₂Si), 5.21 (t, 2H, SiCH₂CH═CHCH₂Si).¹³C {¹H} NMR (CDCl₃): δ=−0.66 ((OTMS)₂SiCH₃), 2.02 (OSi(CH₃)₃), 23.95 (SiCH₂CH═CHCH₂Si), 124.28 (SiCH₂CH═CHCH₂Si).

¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ=0.01 (s, 3H, (OTMS)₂SiCH₃), 0.09 (s, 18H, OSi(CH₃)₃), 1.41 (d, 4H, SiCH₂CH═CHCH₂Si), 5.31 (t, 2H, SiCH₂CH═CHCH₂Si).¹³C {¹H} NMR (CDCl₃): δ=−0.38 ((OTMS)₂SiCH₃), 2.01 (OSi(CH₃)₃), 19.12 (SiCH₂CH═CHCH₂Si), 122.86 (SiCH₂CH═CHCH₂Si).

¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ=0.01 (s, 3H, (OTMS)₂SiCH₃), 0.09 (s, 18H, OSi(CH₃)₃), 1.04 (d, 3H, CHCH₃), 1.64 (m, 1H, CHCH₃), 5.28 (d, 1H, SiCH═CH), 6.27 (dd, 1H, SiCH═CH).¹³C {¹H} NMR (CDCl₃): δ=−0.13 ((OTMS)₂SiCH₃), 2.00 (OSi(CH₃)₃), 12.07 (CHCH₃), 31.69 (CHCH₃), 123.37 (SiCH═CH), 151.01 (SiCH═CH).

¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ=0.01 (s, 3H, (OTMS)₂SiCH₃), 0.09 (s, 18H, OSi(CH₃)₃), 0.58 (m, 2H, CH₂CH₂Si), 2.11 (m, 2H, CH₂CH₂Si), 5.46 (d, 1H, SiCH═CH), 6.20 (m, 1H, SiCH═CH).¹³C {¹H} NMR (CDCl₃): δ=0.29 ((OTMS)₂SiCH₃), 2.07 (OSi(CH₃)₃), 16.28 (CH₂CH₂Si), 29.79 (CH₂CH₂Si), 125.73 (SiCH═CH), 151.52 (SiCH═CH).

A 20 mL scintillation vial was charged with 0.002 g (0.004 mmol, 2000 ppm catalyst loading) of (^MesPDI)CoCH₃and the olefin (see Table 7 for specific amounts). The mixture was stirred until a homogenous pink solution was obtained. This step typically required between 5 and 20 minutes of stirring. The polysiloxane (1:0.75 ratio of C═C to Si—H, Table 7) was then added to the reaction vessel and the mixture was stirred in an oil bath at 65° C. for 4-6 hours. The resulting gel was crushed into a powder using a mortar and pestle, washed with hexanes to remove the alkane by-product, and dried in vacuo overnight.

Each of the hexane-extracted samples was analyzed by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy on a Bruker AVANCE 400WB Spectrometer operating at field strength of 9.40T;¹H's resonate at 400 MHz. Single pulse excitation (SPE) pulse sequence with magic angle spinning (MAS) was used with a delay of 150 seconds for the {¹H-¹³C} SPE/MAS NMR spectra or a delay of 300 seconds for the {¹H-²⁹Si} SPE/MAS NMR spectra. Cross-polarization (CP) pulse sequence with magic angle spinning (MAS) was used with a delay of 10 seconds and a contact time of 5 ms for the {¹H-¹³C} CP/MAS NMR spectra. About 0.1 g of each sample was packed into a 4 mm zirconia (ZrO₂) rotor with a Kel-F cap and the rotor spun at ˜8 to 10.8 kHz for the²⁹Si data and ˜10.8 kHz for the¹³C data. The number of co-added scans were 1000 (¹³C) or 512 (²⁹Si) for the SPE data and 16,000 for the CP/MAS¹³C data. The processing parameters used were zero-filling to 4× and LB of 5 or 15 Hz for the¹³C data or 30 Hz for the²⁹Si data.

The chemical shifts and their assignments of the¹³C SPE/MAS and CP/MAS NMR spectra of samples from Examples 18A, 18C, and 18E are summarized in Table 8. The spectra show a multiple of signals observed in three distinct chemical shift regions, δ 2 to δ −2 consistent with methyl on silicon (CH₃Si), δ 14 to δ 35 consistent with linear type hydrocarbons and δ 124 to δ 135 due to olefinic (sp²) carbons. No peak was observed at ˜δ 115 indicating no residual unreacted 1-octene. A comparison of the data from the two different experiments shows significant differences. There is a significant loss in area for the CH₂, CH₃, and olefinic carbons. The results are consistent with the more mobile phase in the sample being saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons, while the more rigid phase would consist of the following type structure, SiCH₂CH₂CH₂(CH₂)₂CH₂CH₂CH₂Si. However, in the CP experiment there is still a large amount of olefinic signals. This result suggests the presence of unsaturated structures with internal double bonds (note that the double bond can be in positions 2 thru 6), SiCH₂CH₂CH═CH(CH₂)₂CH₂CH₂CH₃.

The two signals observed at δ 125 and δ 131 due to the olefinic carbons are found with approximate equal intensity. The signals are consistent with the double bond being in position 2 or 6. The CP data for sample 18A show a very weak peak observed at δ 14 indicating that if the double bond is in position 6 the major configuration must be trans. The methyl group in the trans 6-position, —CH═CHCH₃, would overlap the signal observed at δ 18. The weaker signals observed around δ 130 are consistent with the double bond being in position 3, 4, or 5.

The chemical shifts and their assignments of the¹³C SPE/MAS and CP/MAS NMR spectra of samples from Examples 18B, 18D and 18F are summarized in Table 9. The spectra are very similar those of the 1-octene crosslinked samples in that they show a multiple of signals in three distinct chemical shift regions, δ 2 to δ −2 consistent with methyl on silicon (CH₃Si), δ 14 to δ 35 consistent with linear type hydrocarbons and δ 124 to δ 135 due to olefinic (sp²) carbons. However, the signal observed at ˜δ 30 is significantly stronger due to the higher number of methylene groups (CH₂) in the 1-octadecene starting material. A second difference is observed in the olefinic chemical shift range. The peak observed at ˜δ 125 is not observed with the same intensity as the peak at ˜δ 131. This result would suggest the double bond is not near one of the ends but is internal.

The following list summarizes the similarities to the results of the 1-octene data.

• • No peak is observed at ˜δ 115 indicating no residual unreacted 1-octadecene.
  • The SPE and CP data show significant loss in peak area for the CH₂, CH₃, and olefinic carbons.
  • The more mobile phase in the sample being saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons, while the more rigid phase would consist of the following type structure, ≡SiCH₂CH₂CH₂(CH₂)₁₂CH₂CH₂CH₂Si≡.
  • The CP experiment shows a large amount of olefinic signals indicating the following type structure may be present (note that the double bond could be in positions 2 thru 16), ≡SiCH₂CH₂CH═CH(CH₂)₁₂CH₂CH₂CH₃. The loss in area of the CH₃peak observed at δ 15 in the CP/MAS experiment could be due to the combination of the methyl group being associated to a hydrocarbon type molecule in the mobile phase and from the following type structure; ≡SiCH₂CH═CHCH₂(CH₂)₁₃CH₃, and the lost intensity is due to the group being at the end of the molecule resulting in greater mobility. The methyl group is farther from the point of cross-linking

Chemical shifts and assignments of the²⁹Si SPE/MAS NMR spectra for the six samples of Example 18 are summarized in Table 10. The signal observed at δ −26 is assigned to a D* with the organofunctional group having the double bond in the allylic or 2 position, ≡SiCH₂CH═CHCH₂(CH₂)_xCH₃. This signal is very strong in Example 17A compared to the spectra of the other samples. Also, there appears to be a slight trend in this peak being slightly larger when the samples are prepared with 1-octene than with 1-octadecene. The integral of this signal is grouped with the stronger signals observed at δ −22 because of the peak overlap for the majority of the samples.

The spectra of the two samples (Examples 17A and 17B) prepared with the SiH fluid, MD₁₅D^H₃₀M show a large amount of what could be a combination of cyclic D₃and D¹type species and do not contain a signal at δ −35.

In terms of the rheological characteristics of the products, one would predict different moduli resulting from molecules dependent on the cross-linked densities and the chain lengths of the linking molecule.

These Examples illustrate deuterium labeling experiments that were done to establish that the occurrence of dehydrogenative hydrosilylation when the reaction of to hydridosiloxanes and olefins is catalyzed by (^MesPDI)CoCH₃.

This reaction was performed in a manner similar to the silylation of 1-octene with MD^HM using 0.050 g (0.45 mmol) of 1-octene, 0.050 g (0.22 mmol, 0.5 equiv) of MD^HM-d₁(70% deuterated), and 0.002 g (0.004 mmol, 1 mol %) of (^MesPDI)CoCH₃. The reaction was quenched after stirring for one hour at room temperature. Analysis of the²H NMR spectrum of the product mixture showed deuterium incorporation into both the methyl and methylene groups of octane as well as traces of deuterium on C^b, C^c, and C^dof 1-bis(trimethylsiloxy)methylsilyl-2-octene.

In nitrogen-filled drybox, a J. Young tube was charged with 0.080 g (0.24 mmol) of 1-bis(trimethylsiloxy)methylsilyl-2-octene, 0.005 g (0.011 mmol, 4 mol %) of (^MesPDI)CoCH₃, and approximately 0.7 mL of benzene-d₆. The tube was degassed and approximately 1 atm of D₂was admitted. The solution was thawed to room temperature and then placed in an oil bath at 45° C. for 16 hours. Analysis of the¹H and²H NMR spectra of the product mixture showed partial deuteration of the starting material to the fully saturated product with deuterium scrambled in all along the octyl chains both compounds. Deutertation occurred principally at the C2 and C3 positions, indicating that unsaturation in the starting material was principally allylic and not vinylic.

Example 19A shows that (^MesPDI)CoCH₃does not isomerize 1-octene.

A scintillation vial was charged with 0.100 g (0.891 mmol) of 1-octene and 0.004 g (0.008 mmol, 1 mol %) of (^MesPDI)CoCH₃. The solution was stirred for one hour at room temperature and then quenched by exposure to air. The¹H NMR spectrum of the product showed only 1-octene and traces of free ligand and no evidence for olefin isomerization.

Example 19B shows that 1-octene isomerization was not observed with (^MesPDI)CoCH₃and trace amounts of hydridotrisiloxane, MD^HM.

This experiment was performed in the same manner as the experiment described above (Example 21A) using 0.100 g (0.891 mmol) of 1-octene, 0.004 g (0.008 mmol, 1 mol %) of (^MesPDI)CoCH₃, and 0.014 g (0.063 mmol, 7 mol %) of MD^HM. The¹H NMR spectrum of the product showed only 1-octene, traces of free ligand and 1-bis(trimethylsiloxy)methylsilyl-2-octene, and no evidence for olefin isomerization.

Example 19C illustrates isomerization of N,N-dimethylallylamine, (CH₃)₂NCH₂CH═CH₂, using (^MesPDI)CoCH₃.

A J. Young tube was charged with 0.017 g (0.20 mmol) of N,N-dimethylallylamine, 0.002 g (0.004 mmol, 2 mol %) of (^MesPDI)CoCH₃and approximately 0.7 mL of benzene-d₆. The solution was allowed sit at room temperature and monitored using¹H NMR spectroscopy. Isomerization of the starting material to N,N-dimethyl-1-propenylamine, (CH₃)₂NCH═CHCH₃, was 20% complete after 8 hours and 65% after 46 hours.

Example 19D illustrates isomerization of N,N-dimethylallylamine, (CH₃)₂NCH₂CH═CH₂, using (^MesPDI)CoCH₃and trace amounts of the hydrido trisiloxane, MD^HM.

This reaction was carried out in a manner similar to the experiment described above (Example 19C) using 0.091 g (1.1 mmol) of N,N-dimethylallylamine, 0.003 g (0.006 mmol, 0.6 mol %) of (^MesPDI)CoCH₃and 0.006 g (0.03 mmol, 3 mol %) of MD^HM. Isomerization of the starting material to N,N-dimethyl-1-propenylamine, (CH₃)₂NCH═CHCH₃was 90% complete after 8 hours and >95% after 24 hours.

This reaction was carried out in a manner similar to the silylation of 1-butene using 0.11 mmol of silane (0.025 g of MD^HM, 0.018 g of (EtO)₃SiH or 0.015 g of (OEt)₂CH₃SiH) 0.001 g (0.002 mmol) of (^MesPDI)CoCH₃and 5.6 mmol (50 equiv) of propylene. The non-volatiles were analyzed by NMR spectroscopy.

¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ=0.03 (s, 3H, (OTMS)₂SiCH₃), 0.09 (s, 18H, OSi(CH₃)₃), 1.49 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 2H, SiCH₂CH═CH), 4.86 (d, J=6.3 Hz, 1H, CH₂CH═C(H)H), 4.88 (d, J=15 Hz, 1H, CH₂CH═C(H)H), 5.77 (m, 1H, CH₂CH═CH₂).¹³C {¹H} NMR (CDCl₃): δ=−0.77 ((OTMS)₂SiCH₃), 1.97 (OSi(CH₃)₃), 25.82 (SiCH₂CH═CH), 113.72 (CH₂CH═CH₂), 134.28 (CH₂CH═CH₂).

¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ=0.00 (s, 3H, (OTMS)₂SiCH₃), 0.09 (s, 18H, OSi(CH₃)₃), 0.46 (m, 2H, SiCH₂CH₂CH₃), 0.95 (t, 3H, SiCH₂CH₂CH₃), 1.36 (m, 2H, SiCH₂CH₂CH₃).¹³C {¹H} NMR (CDCl₃): δ=−0.07 ((OTMS)₂SiCH₃), 1.97 (OSi(CH₃)₃), 16.75 (SiCH₂CH₂CH₃), 18.05 (SiCH₂CH₂CH₃), 20.37 (SiCH₂CH₂CH₃).

¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ=1.22 (t, 9H, OCH₂CH₃), 1.67 (d, 2H, SiCH₂CH═CH), 3.84 (q, 6H, OCH₂CH₃), 4.90-5.05 (d, 2H, CH₂CH═CH₂), 5.81 (m, 1H, CH₂CH═CH₂).¹³C {¹H} NMR (CDCl₃): δ=18.36 (OCH₂CH₃), 19.34 (SiCH₂CH═CH), 58.73 (OCH₂CH₃), 114.85 (CH₂CH═CH₂), 132.80 (CH₂CH═CH₂).

¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ=0.63 (m, 2H, SiCH₂CH₂CH₃), 0.97 (t, 3H, SiCH₂CH₂CH₃), 1.22 (t, 9H, OCH₂CH₃), 1.45 (m, 2H, SiCH₂CH₂CH₃).¹³C {¹H} NMR (CDCl₃): δ=10.94 (SiCH₂CH₂CH₃), 12.92 (SiCH₂CH₂CH₃), 16.50 (SiCH₂CH₂CH₃), 18.43 (OCH₂CH₃), 58.40 (OCH₂CH₃).

¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ=0.11 (s, 3H, SiCH₃), 1.19 (t, 6H, OCH₂CH₃), 1.63 (d, 2H, SiCH₂CH═CH), 3.76 (q, 4H, OCH₂CH₃), 4.88 (d, 1H, CH₂CH═C(H)H), 4.93 (d, 1H, CH₂CH═C(H)H), 5.80 (m, 1H, CH₂CH═CH₂).¹³C {¹H} NMR (CDCl₃): δ=−5.19 (SiCH₃), 18.44 (OCH₂CH₃), 21.92 (SiCH₂CH═CH), 58.41 (OCH₂CH₃), 114.45 (CH₂CH═CH₂), 133.36 (CH₂CH═CH₂).

¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ=0.08 (s, 3H, SiCH₃), 0.59 (m, 2H, SiCH₂CH₂CH₃), 0.94 (t, 3H, SiCH₂CH₂CH₃), 1.19 (t, 9H, OCH₂CH₃), 1.38 (m, 2H, SiCH₂CH₂CH₃).¹³C {¹H} NMR (CDCl₃): δ=−4.76 (SiCH₃), 16.37 (SiCH₂CH₂CH₃), 16.53 (SiCH₂CH₂CH₃), 18.07 (SiCH₂CH₂CH₃), 18.50 (OCH₂CH₃), 58.13 (OCH₂CH₃).

A 20 mL scintillation vial was charged with 0.200 g (1.78 mmol) 1-octene and 0.200 g (0.899 mmol) MD^HM. 0.002 g (0.004 mmol, 0.5 mol %) of (^MesPDI)CoMe was then added, and the reaction was stirred at room temperature for 15 minutes. Analysis of an aliquot of the reaction by GC established complete conversion to 1-(TMSO)₂MeSi-2-octene and octane. The reaction mixture was directly transferred to a thick-walled glass vessel, and the latter was degassed. One atm of H₂was then admitted, and the reaction was stirred at room temperature for 16 hours. Analysis of the mixture by¹H NMR spectroscopy established 41% hydrogenation of the allylsilane to 1-(TMSO)₂MeSi-octane.

A 20 mL scintillation vial was charged with 0.112 g (1 mmol) 1-octene and 0.082 g (0.5 mmol) (EtO)₃SiH. 0.002 g (0.005 mmol, 1 mol %) of (^MesPDI)CoMe was then added, and the reaction was stirred at room temperature for 1 h. Analysis of an aliquot of the reaction by GC established complete conversion to 1-triethoxysilyl-2-octene and octane. The reaction mixture was directly transferred to a thick-walled glass vessel, and the latter was degassed. One atm of H₂was then admitted, and the reaction was stirred at room temperature for 16 hours. Analysis of the mixture by¹H NMR spectroscopy established 32% hydrogenation of the allylsilane to 1-triethoxysilyloctane.

A 20 mL scintillation vial was charged with 0.112 g (1 mmol) 1-octene and 0.058 g (0.5 mmol) Et₃SiH. 0.010 g (0.025 mmol, 5 mol %) of (^MesPDI)CoMe was then added, and the reaction was stirred at room temperature for 12 h. Analysis of an aliquot of the reaction by GC established complete conversion to 1-triethylsilyl-2-octene and octane. The reaction mixture was directly transferred to a thick-walled glass vessel, and the latter was degassed. One atm of H₂was then admitted, and the reaction was stirred at room temperature for 16 hours. Analysis of the mixture by¹H NMR spectroscopy established quantitative hydrogenation of the allylsilane to 1-triethylsilyl-octane.

A 20 mL scintillation vial was charged with 0.100 g (0.891 mmol) of 1-octene and 0.100 (0.449 mmol) of MD^HM. 0.001 g (0.002 mmol) of (^MesPDI)CoMe was then added, and the reaction was stirred at room temperature. An aliquot of the reaction was analyzed by GC after 30 min, which established complete conversion of the substrates to the allylsilane product. The reaction vial containing the allylsilane product was then charged with another 0.100 g of 1-octene and 0.100 g of MD^HM. Complete conversion (based on GC analysis) of the second batch of substrates was observed after stirring the reaction for one hour at room temperature.

While the above description contains many specifics, these specifics should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but merely as exemplifications of preferred embodiments thereof. Those skilled in the art will envision many other possible variations that are within the scope and spirit of the invention as defined by the claims appended hereto.