Synthesis and characterization of imidazole–triphenylsilane complexes

Three imidazole-based triphenylsilane complexes were synthesized as preliminary model complexes to those that have been proposed as intermediates during the enzymatic biomineralization of silica by certain sponges. The active site of the enzyme includes histidine-serine moieties that appear to be vital to functionality. The model compounds include ligands that are bound to the silicon via a Si–O–C linkage and have a potentially chelating imidazole ring. Synthesis of these compounds was achieved by reaction of triphenylchlorosilane with two equivalents of ligand, one equivalent acting as a base for the HCl generated during the reaction. The compounds are highly reactive toward hydrolysis and were characterized by NMR, MS, elemental analysis, and X-ray crystallography.