Nucleophile induced ligand rearrangement reactions of alkoxy- and arylsilanes

The ligand-redistribution reactions of aryl- and alkoxy-hydrosilanes can potentially cause the formation of gaseous hydrosilanes, which are flammable and pyrophoric. The ability of generic nucleophiles to initiate the ligand-redistribution reaction of commonly used hydrosilane reagents was investigated, alongside methods to hinder and halt the formation of hazardous hydrosilanes. Our results show that the ligand-redistribution reaction can be completely inhibited by common electrophiles and first-row transition metal pre-catalysts.