Manganese-Catalyzed Highly Selective Oxidation of Hydrosilanes to Silanols under Neutral Conditions.

The first manganese-catalyzed oxidation of organosilanes to silanols with H2O2 under neutral reaction conditions has been accomplished. A variety of organosilanes with alkyl, aryl, alknyl, and heterocyclic substituents were tolerated, as well as sterically hindered organosilanes. The oxidation appears to proceed by a concerted process involving a manganese hydroperoxide species. Featuring mild reaction conditions, fast oxidation, and no waste byproducts, the protocol allows a low-cost, eco-benign synthesis of both silanols and silanediols.