Efficient hydrosilylation of imines using catalysts based on iridium(iii) metallacycles

Ir(iii) metallacycles were applied as catalysts for the hydrosilylation of ketimines and aldimines by using sodium tetrakis[(3,5-trifluoromethyl)phenyl]borate, NaBArF₂₄, as an additive. By using a slight excess of the organosilane reagent, the reactions proceeded rapidly and efficiently, at low catalyst loadings and at room temperature.