TBAF-catalyzed hydrosilylation for the reduction of aromatic nitriles

The selective catalytic hydrosilylation of functional groups is becoming an interesting tool for organic synthesis. In the present study, fluoride-catalyzed hydrosilylations of aromatic nitriles have been examined in detail. Using catalytic amounts of inexpensive tetra-n-butylammonium fluoride (TBAF) various aromatic nitriles are reduced in good yields under mild conditions.