Interaction of Hydrosilanes with the Surface of Rhodium

Interaction of triethylsilane and diphenylsilane (, ) with the surfaces of rhodium has been examined by trapping the reaction intermediates with 2,3-dimethyl-l,3-butadiene. 1,4-Hydrosilylation of the diene is predominantly observed to occur under mild condition over the rhodium catalyst. It is inferred from the product analyses that silylene and silyl radicals bonded to rhodium surfaces are the intermediates for addition of silylene to the diene, and for 1,4-hydrosilylation, respectively.