Prospects in Sustainable Hydrosilylation by Biphase Catalysis

This concept addresses the main economic, environmental, scientific and technological issues associated with the use of homogeneous Pt-catalysts in the important industrial hydrosilylation process. The development of biphase catalysis is proposed as the most promising approach. One solution we suggest is the use of ethylene glycol (EG) as a medium in biphase catalysis. We have previously shown that EG in Pt-catalyzed hydrosilylation serves not only as a medium but also as a mild reducing agent of Pt-ions to Pt0, as well as an effective ligand for the preparation of mononuclear Pt01-complexes. These zero valent platinum complexes are single-atom catalysts (SAC) and have high activity in hydrosilylation, stability during storage and the ability to be recycled multiple times (~40 times). This option of using an atomic catalyst allows us to combine the advantages of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts.