Si–C(sp3) Bond Activation Through Oxidative Addition at a Rh(I) centre

An easy, direct and room temperature silicon-carbon bond activation is reported. The reaction of [RhCl(coe)2]2 with the silane [Si(Me)2(o-C6H4SMe)2] in the presence of an halide extractor provokes a Si–CH3 bond cleavage yielding a cationic silyl-methyl-Rh(III). In contrast, if the reaction is performed using the Rh(I) bisalkene dimers [RhCl(cod)]2 or [RhCl(nbd)]2, the Si–CH3 bond activation does not occur.