A new and efficient route for the synthesis of alkynyl functionalized silicon derivatives

The iridium-based catalytic system, [{Ir(μ-Cl)(CO)2}2]/NEt(i-Pr)2, was examined in the coupling reaction of iodotrisubstituted silanes (R3SiI) with various terminal arylalkynes (R1CCH). Under optimum conditions, the process occurs very efficiently (in particular for Me3SiI and Me2PhSiI), giving exclusively the respective Csp-silyl functionalized alkynes (R1CCSiR3). Additionally, this iridium-based catalytic system was successfully used for the preparation of selected bis(phenylethynyl) disubstituted silanes [R22Si(CCPh)2] via coupling of phenylacetylene with appropriate diiodo-disubstituted silanes (R22SiI2).