Efficient Homogeneous Hydrosilylation of Olefins by Use of Complexes of Pt0 with Selected Electron-Deficient Olefins as Ligands

Triolefinic platinum(0) complexes of the type {(η4-CH2CHSiMe2)2O}Pt(OlE) containing an electron-deficient olefin, (OlE), were synthesised from the Karstedt catalyst precursor [{(CH2CHSiMe2)2O}3Pt2] and studied as catalysts for the hydrosilylation of olefins (figure). Several of these complexes, particularly those with naphthoquinones as ligands, were very efficient catalysts, superior to the classical Karstedt systems. The nature of the catalytically active molecular species involved is discussed.