Activation of Si–H bonds across the nickel carbene bond in electron rich nickel PC carbene P pincer complexes

Silicon-hydrogen bonds are shown to add to a nickel carbon double bond to yield nickel α-silylalkyl hydrido complexes. Kinetic and isotope labeling studies suggest that a concerted 4-centred addition across the Ni=C bond is operative rather than a mechanism involving Si-H oxidative addition. This constitutes an example of Si-H bond activation via ligand cooperativity.