Photoelectrochemical Si-H and Ge-H activation by iron catalysis

The development of efficient and sustainable methods for hydrosilane and hydrogermane functionalization is of importance due to their abundant use as functional modifiers and high bond dissociation energy. Despite advances in photoredox catalysis, expensive photocatalysts and hydrogen atom transfer mediators are usually required for functionalization. In contrast, we herein report on a photoelectrochemical iron-catalyzed alkene silyl arylation that harnesses the power of light and electricity for challenging Si- H and Ge- H activation. Notably, the reaction features iron complexes used as earth- abundant photocatalysts and chloride as a green and inexpensive hydrogen atom transfer reagent. Detailed mechanistic studies elucidated the silane activation mode under photo-electrochemical iron catalysis.