Methylenation of anilines and indoles with CO and hydrosilane using a pentanuclear zinc complex catalyst

The one-step C -methylenation of anilines and indoles with CO 2 and phenylsilane was catalyzed by a pentanuclear Zn II complex to give diarylmethanes via geminal C-H and C-C bond formation. It is proposed that the zinc-hydride complex generated in situ is a catalytically active species and that bis(silyl)acetal is a key intermediate. When aniline was used as a substrate, both the C -methylenation and N -methylation proceeded. The one-step C -methylenation of arenes with CO 2 and phenylsilane was catalyzed by a pentanuclear Zn II complex to give diarylmethanes via C-H and C-C bond formation.