Implication of a Silyl Cobalt Dihydride Complex as a Useful Catalyst for the Hydrosilylation of Imines

Here, we describe the formation and use of silyl cobalt (III) dihydride complexes as powerful catalysts for the hydrosilylation of a variety of imines starting from a low-valent well-defined cobalt (I) complex. The reaction is efficient at low catalyst loadings with a diverse range of imines bearing various protecting groups, as well as aliphatic ketimines and quinoline. Kinetics, DFT calculations, NMR spectroscopic studies, deuteration experiments, and X-ray diffraction analyses allowed us to propose a catalytic cycle based on silyl dihydrocobalt (III) complexes performing a hydrocobaltation.