Regioselective Hydrosilylation of Olefins Catalyzed by a Molecular Calcium Hydride Cation

Chemo‐ and regioselectivity are often difficult to control during olefin hydrosilylation catalyzed by d‐ and f‐block metal complexes. The cationic hydride of calcium [CaH](+) stabilized by an NNNN macrocycle was found to catalyze the regioselective hydrosilylation of aliphatic olefins to give anti‐Markovnikov products, while aryl‐substituted olefins were hydrosilyated with Markovnikov regioselectivity. Ethylene was efficiently hydrosilylated by primary and secondary hydrosilanes to give di‐ and monoethylated silanes. Aliphatic hydrosilanes were preferred over other commonly employed hydrosilanes: Arylsilanes such as PhSiH(3) underwent scrambling reactions promoted by the nucleophilic hydride, while alkoxy‐ and siloxy‐substituted hydrosilanes gave isolable alkoxy and siloxy calcium derivatives.