Iron Catalysts for Selective Anti-Markovnikov Alkene Hydrosilylation Using Tertiary Silanes

An Iron Hand for Silicon Carbon-silicon bonds are integral to the structure of the silicone materials widely used in adhesives, cosmetics, and numerous other industrial and consumer products. Generally, platinum-based catalysts have performed best in the hydrosilylation reactions that form these bonds, but the expense of the precious metal and, in some cases, by-product formation have motivated a search for alternatives. Tondreau et al. (p. 567 ) now show that a class of iron compounds readily catalyzes hydrosilylation of certain commercially important substrates with rates and selectivities comparable to, or even exceeding, those associated with platinum.