Bonding analysis and the mechanisms on the ring-opening of alkoxy-bridged bis(silylene) transition-metal complexes toward MeOH

The mechanistic study on the ring-opening of alkoxy-bridged bis(silylene) transition-metal complexes toward MeOH is performed by using density functional theory. Four steps are predicted to be involved in the reaction, formation of hydrogen bonding between R and a MeOH, ring-opening of the Ru–Si1–O1–Si2 four-membered ring, formation of the six-membered ring, and the hydroxyl hydrogen migration to the metal center. It is found that the reaction is favorable thermodynamically and the hydroxyl hydrogen migration is the rate-determining step. Systematic variations of the structural parameters involved in the reaction mechanism are revealed, which revealed the relationship of the bond strength among Ru–Si, Si–O and O–H bonds.

Graphical abstractThe mechanistic study on the ring-opening of alkoxy-bridged bis(silylene) transition-metal complexes toward MeOH is performed by using density functional theory.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide