Silicon(II) Cation Cp*Si:⁺ X^–: A New Class of Efficient Catalysts in Organosilicon Chemistry

The catalytic activity of the pentamethylcyclopentadienylsilicon­(II) cation Cp*Si:⁺ was investigated. It was shown that Cp*Si:⁺ efficiently catalyzes reactions of technical relevance in organosilicon chemistry: Cp*Si:⁺ proved to be a very efficient nonmetallic catalyst for the hydrosilylation of olefins at low catalyst amounts of <0.01 mol % and for the Piers–Rubinsztajn reaction in order to make controlled silicone topologies. The thermal induction of hydrosilylation which is important for the manufacturing of silicone rubber can be achieved by small amounts of alkoxysilanes.