Mesoporous Cu-doped ZSM-5 zeolite for efficient radical-mediated decarboxylative silylation

Abstract

Vinylsilane compounds are essential chemical feedstocks and intermediates in organic synthesis. A heterogeneous Cu-containing mesoporous ZSM-5 zeolite catalyst developed through an in-situ doping method can be used for preparing vinylsilane compounds via decarboxylative coupling with remarkable catalytic efficiency. The mesoporous structure along with the appropriate surface area and pore volume of the catalyst is likely to be responsible for facilitating mass transfer in the reaction process. Additionally, due to the suitable Brønsted and Lewis acid active sites, adsorption and activation of reactant molecules can be readily triggered to promote the generation of alkoxyl radicals, which is the crucial species to complete the catalytic cycle. Importantly, the transformation exhibits high efficiency, broad substrate scope, and good reusability for at least six cycles.