Intramolecular endo-dig hydrosilylation catalyzed by ruthenium: evidence for a new mechanistic pathway

The ruthenium catalyst [Cp*Ru(MeCN)3]PF6 effects a novel intramolecular hydrosilylation of homo- and bis-homopropargylic alcohols, producing products of unique regioselectivity under very mild conditions with excellent selectivity. The reaction is compatible with a wide range of functional groups and tolerates substantial steric bulk. In addition to producing valuable synthetic intermediates thus far obtainable only in circuitous fashion, the results imply the necessity for a reexamination of the mechanism surrounding trans-hydrosilylation reactions, at least for ruthenium catalysts. At the very least, a simple cis addition/isomerization mechanism almost certainly cannot be active in this case. A silicon-ruthenium transposition could potentially provide a rationalization. However, the evidence for any products of syn addition with nonhydrido ruthenium catalysts is very scarce. Alternatively, a direct trans addition to orthogonal p-systems is also a possibility.