Air-stable Zn⁺² based catalyst: Hydroelementation vs dehydrocoupling

The hydroelementation reaction, which enables the addition of E-H bonds such as R₂B-H₂, and R₃Si-H across C-C multiple bonds, is an efficient preparation method for synthetically and biologically useful species. Most catalytic hydroelementation methods involve the use of nobel transition metal based catalysts (Pt), which are expensive, scarce and toxic. Hence, their replacement by cheaper and less toxic catalysts is appealing. The use of zinc in this perspective is of a great interest because of its abundance, biological relevance and distinct abilities. Herein we report the synthesis of air-stable di-cationic Zn complex embedded in tri dentate ligand, whose reactivity towards C=C double bonds leads to hydroelementation products. However, the reaction with terminal C≡C triple bonds varies according to reaction conditions, resulting hydroelementation or dehydrocoupling products.