Cooperative Activation of CO and Pyridine by an Aluminum(I) Complex Ligated with a Silylene–Borane Ligand

J Jinghuang Lv (State Key Laboratory and Institute of Elemento‐Organic Chemistry Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies College of Chemistry Nankai University Tianjin 300071 China) X Xiao Fang F Fanshu Cao (State Key Laboratory and Institute of Elemento-Organic Chemistry, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, College of Chemistry) Z Zhenbo Mo (State Key Laboratory of Elemento-Organic Chemistry, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, College of Chemistry)

Abstract

Abstract Cooperative main‐group systems based on alumylenes are highly attractive due to their potential for activating and transforming inert chemical bonds and small molecules. However, their development has been hindered by the scarcity of suitable supporting ligands. Herein, we report the synthesis of an amphiphilic carboranyl silylene–borane ligand ( 1 ) and demonstrate its effectiveness in stabilizing an aluminum(I) complex 2 . Complex 2 has been unambiguously characterized by spectroscopic analysis, X‐ray diffraction analysis, and DFT calculations, which reveals a unique structure featuring both silicon(II)→aluminum(I) and aluminum(I)→boron(III) donor–acceptor bonds. The synergistic interplay between the silylene–borane ligand and the aluminum(I) center in 2 drives its unusual reactivity toward CO and pyridine activation, facilitating cleavage of the C≡O bond and dearomatization of pyridine.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 64, Issue 36
Published September 01, 2025
ISSN 1433-7851
Publisher Wiley

Journal Info

Angewandte Chemie International Edition

Wiley

ISSN: 1433-7851 Physical Sciences

Authors (4)

J

Jinghuang Lv

State Key Laboratory and Institute of Elemento‐Organic Chemistry Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies College of Chemistry Nankai University Tianjin 300071 China

X

Xiao Fang

F

Fanshu Cao

State Key Laboratory and Institute of Elemento-Organic Chemistry, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, College of Chemistry

Z

Zhenbo Mo

State Key Laboratory of Elemento-Organic Chemistry, Frontiers Science Center for New Organic Matter, College of Chemistry