Synthesis and Properties of Sila[n]helicenes via Dehydrogenative Silylation of C-H Bonds under Rhodium Catalysis

Use of a rhodium catalyst with (R)-(S)-BPPFA ligand allows efficient synthesis of sila[n]helicenes via dehydrogenative silylation of C-H bonds. By selecting the proper ligands, the current method provides the ability to prepare unsymmetrical sila[n]helicene derivatives without any oxidants. The resulting sila[6]helicene is a rare example of a five-membered ring-fused [6]helicene, which was isolated as a single pure enantiomer without substituents on the terminal benzene rings.