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

Abstract

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.