Disilaferracycle Dicarbonyl Complex Containing Weakly Coordinated η2‑(H-Si) Ligands: Application to C–H Functionalization of Indoles and Arenes

Well-defined iron complex-mediated catalytic C-3-selective silylation of indole derivatives and stoichiometric C–H bond functionalization of arenes were achieved using an iron dicarbonyl complex containing the disilaferracycle moiety [o-(SiMe2)2C6H4]­Fe­(CO)2­[o-{η2-(H-SiMe2)2}­C6H4] (1). Facile liberation of the η2-(H-Si) groups in 1 was the key to effective promotion of these reactions.