Uranyl-catalyzed hydrosilylation of para-quinone methides: access to diarylmethane derivatives

An efficient and convenient uranyl-catalyzed reductive hydrosilylation reaction of para-quinone methides (p-QMs) was developed by employing silane as the reductant. The hydrosilylation procedure using the UO2(NO3)(2)center dot 6H(2)O/Et3SiH catalytic system proceeded smoothly and provided an expedient method for the construction of various diarylmethane derivatives in one step with good to excellent yields.