Synthesis and Reactivity of Platinum Group Metal Complexes Featuring the New Pincer-like Bis(phosphino)silyl Ligand [κ3-(2-Ph2PC6H4)2SiMe]− ([PSiP]): Application in the Ruthenium-Mediated Transfer Hydrogenation of Ketones

The synthesis of coordinatively unsaturated Ru, Rh, Pd, and Pt complexes supported by the new pincer-like bis(phosphino)silyl ligand [κ 3 -(2-Ph 2 P C 6 H 4 ) 2 Si Me] − ([PSiP]) is described. In the first application of silyl pincer-type complexes in transfer hydrogenation catalysis, [PSiP]Ru species were shown to be effective in mediating the reduction of ketones employing basic i PrOH as the hydrogen source.