Disproportionation reactions of organohydrosilanes in the presence of base catalysts

Alkoxides, alkyl compounds, amides and hydrides of alkali metals (M) and barium, such as MOR, Ba(OR)2, n-BuM, PhM, MN(SiMe3)2 and MAlH4 showed high catalytic activities versus the disproportionation reactions of PhSiH3 to produce SiH4, Ph2SiH2 and Ph3SiH. A good correlation between the catalyst basicities and the catalytic activities was observed, and a reaction mechanism involving the metal hydride and alkyl metal was proposed. A considerable amount of SiH4 was produced in the reduction of PhSiCl3 with LiAlH4 when over three moles of LiAlH4 was used.