Mechanistic Elucidation of Silylation with Disilane via π-Allylpalladium Intermediates: Combined Experimentation and Automated Reaction Pathway Exploration

Abstract

We report a comprehensive mechanistic study combining experimental investigations, global reaction route mapping (GRRM)/artificial force-induced reaction (AFIR)-based automated reaction path exploration, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The computational results reveal that the reaction proceeds via oxidative addition of disilane to a π-allylpalladium species, followed by two successive reductive eliminations to afford the corresponding allylsilane. This study provides mechanistic insights into palladium-catalyzed silylation with disilanes and offers a foundation for the rational design of bond-forming reactions using disilane.