Catalytic Conversion of Allylic Esters to Corresponding Allylic Silanes with Hexamethyldisilane and Palladium(0) or Rhodium(I) Complexes

Treatment of allylic esters (R1CH=CR2CH2OCOR3: R1=H, Ar; R2=H, alkyl; and R3=Me, Ph) with hexamethyldisilane in the presence of catalytic amounts of PdL4 (L=PPh3 or P(OPh)3) or RhCl(PPh3)3 gives the corresponding allylic silanes in the excellent yield.