4 ms·
OK, found a library with the subscription, and the key sentence in the paper seems to be: We observed that the combination of a bulky basic anion (that is, Ot-
by jedharris 12y ago
OK, found a library with the subscription, and the key sentence in the paper seems to be:
We observed that the combination of a bulky basic anion (that is, Ot-Bu, trimethylsilanolate or bis(trimethylsilyl)amide) and, importantly, a potassium countercation led to the desired C–Si bond formation.
But I don't understand it at all. Lay speak translation needed.
- deleted 12y ago[deleted]
- kbetz 12y agoHi there, I'm Kerry - one of the researchers who wrote the paper. Basically, you have a molecule with a bunch of carbons bonded to hydrogens - like R-C-H (where R is the rest of your molecule). Then you mix in our catalyst (K-OtBu, the potassium tert-butoxide catalyst) and a silicon compound (let's say Si-H) and then stir it up, and you get your final product: R-C-Si-H! A very simple explanation for what is no doubt an extremely complex mechanism. A bit about the specifics of that quote - so we don't know the specific way this catalyst works, just that it works (we're working on finding it out!!) But we've observed several important things - and one of them is that the potassium ion in that potassium tert butoxide salt is absolutely necessary for the reaction to go. Analagous ions like Sodium or Lithium (going up the periodic table) don't work AT ALL. You NEED this potassium ion - which has never been seen before in chemistry, really. You'd expect sodium and lithium to maybe work less well, but to not work at all? Something weird's going on. Let me know if I didn't answer your question - I can probably get a bit too technical sometimes, habit really :(
- jedharris 12y agoThat really helps. Thanks very much.