Synthesis of silyl iron hydride via Si–H activation and its dual catalytic application in the hydrosilylation of carbonyl compounds and dehydration of benzamides

The hydrido silyl iron complex (o-Ph2PC6H4SiMe2)Fe(PMe3)3H (2) was obtained via the activation of the Si–H bond of the bidentate silyl ligand o-Ph2P(C6H4)SiMe2H (1) by Fe(PMe3)4. 2 showed good to excellent catalytic activity in both the reduction of aldehydes/ketones and the dehydration of benzamide. In addition, with complex 2 as a catalyst, α,β-unsaturated carbonyls could be selectively reduced to the corresponding α,β-unsaturated alcohols. The mechanisms of the formation of 2 and the catalytic dehydration process are proposed and partly experimentally verified.