Reactivity of silicon carbonyl with ethylene

The reaction of silicon atom with carbonyl has recently been investigated by density functional calculations. A few relatively stable silicon carbonyl compounds have been found. In this Letter, the reactivity of silicon tetracarbonyl with ethylene has been investigated by a density functional approach. The calculations predict this carbonylation procedure as an alternative to the use of highly toxic phosgene commonly required in addition reactions of carbonyl to unsaturated compounds.