Visible-Light-Promoted Generation of Hydrogen from the Hydrolysis of Silanes Catalyzed by Rhodium(III) Porphyrins

Visible-light-promoted hydrolysis of silanes catalyzed by (TAP)Rh–I to produce silanols and dihydrogen efficiently under mild conditions was reported. (TAP)Rh–H was observed as the key intermediate through stoichiometric activation of the Si–H bond by (TAP)Rh–I. Addition of water drove the stoichiometric activation of Si–H into catalysis.