Carbene X-H bond insertions catalyzed by copper(I) macrocyclic pyridine-containing ligand (PcL) complexes

A catalytic system comprising copper(I) and macrocyclic pyridine-containing ligands (Pc-L) proves capable of promoting carbene Si[sbnd]H bond insertions using diazo compounds as the carbene source. This catalytic system showed broad scope and a remarkable robustness as indicated by high TON numbers (up to 30000). Moreover, the use of enynones as carbene sources proved also feasible in hydrosilane insertion using this catalytic system. Finally, the insertion in O[sbnd]H and N[sbnd]H bonds of phenols and anilines, respectively, has been also demonstrated.