Schiff Base Cobalt(II) Complex-Catalyzed Highly Markovnikov-Selective Hydrosilylation of Alkynes.

A bench-stable cobalt(II) complex, with 3N-donor socket-type benzimidazole-imine-2H-imidazole ligand is reported as a precatalyst for regioselective hydrosilylation of terminal alkynes. Both aromatic and aliphatic alkynes could be effectively hydrosilylated with primary, secondary, and tertiary silane to give α-vinylsilanes in high yields with excellent Markovnikov selectivity and extensive functional-group tolerance. Catalyst loading varies within 0.5-0.05 mol %, which is one of the most efficient reported so far in the literature on cobalt-catalyzed alkyne hydrosilylation.