Metal-free Catalytic Olefin Hydrogenation: Low-Temperature H2 Activation by Frustrated Lewis Pairs

Metal-free Catalytic Olefin Hydrogenation: Low-Temperature H2 Activation by Frustrated Lewis Pairs:

Weak nucleophiles for strong activation: The reversible activation of dihydrogen by an electron-deficient phosphine, (C₆F₅)PPh₂, in combination with the Lewis acid B(C₆F₅)₃ at −80 °C was accomplished. The catalytic hydrogenation of olefins proceeds through protonation and subsequent hydride attack. Electron-deficient phosphines and diarlyamines were demonstrated to be viable Lewis bases for the reaction, thus allowing catalyst loadings of 10 to 5 mol %.