Discovery of a New Chemical Reaction: the Formation of Oxygen and Silicon Containing Rings from a Non-metal Catalyst

Alkene hydrosilylation reactions have been performed for over 75 years. However, since 1957 all reported alkene hydrosilylation reactions have utilized metal catalysts. In this essay, I detail how I made the discovery of doing this type of reaction using the non-metal catalyst called TBAT (tetrabutylammonium difluorotriphenylsilicate). While I unfold the discovery I also go into detail on some of the laboratory techniques I use as an organic chemist such as column chromatography and proton NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance). The second half of the piece is dedicated to detailing how I was able to trouble shoot the chemistry when the TBAT started to get exposed to water and the alkenes were reduced.