Iron Dihydride Complex as the Pre‐catalyst for Efficient Hydrosilylation of Aldehydes and Ketones Under Visible Light Activation

Abstract

Abstract A general and efficient hydrosilylation of aldehydes and ketones into the corresponding alcohols using the well‐defined bis(diphenylphosphinoethane)iron dihydride complex as the pre‐catalyst is reported using polymethylhydrosiloxane (PMHS) as the reducing silylating agent and sodium tetraethoxyborate [NaB(OEt) 4 ] as a co‐catalyst under visible light irradiation. The low catalyst loadings (0.1–1 mol%), the amount of economical hydride source, PMHS and the unconventional way of activation of the pre‐catalyst make this new approach attractive.