Cobalt Catalysts for Alkene Hydrosilylation under Aerobic Conditions without Dry Solvents or Additives

Article abstract of DOI:10.1002/ejic.201801068

Alkene hydrosilylation is typically performed with Pt catalysts, but inexpensive base-metal catalysts would be preferred. Here, we report a simple method for the use of air-stable cobalt catalysts for anti-Markovnikov alkene hydrosilylation that can be used under aerobic conditions without dry solvents or additives. These catalysts can be generated from low-cost commercially available materials. In addition, these catalysts possess good catalytic ability for both hydrosilanes and hydroalkoxysilanes. Finally, a mechanistic study demonstrates that the silane and the catalyst generate a Co–H species in the course of the reaction, which has been observed by in situ Raman spectroscopy.