Phosphines with 2-imidazolium ligands enhance the catalytic activity and selectivity of rhodium complexes for hydrosilylation reactions

Phosphines with 2-imidazolium ligands can specifically vary their physical and chemical properties by altering the attached substituents. Rhodium complexes (1b–7b) exhibited excellent catalytic activity and selectivity for hydrosilylation of olefins. The selectivity of the β-adduct clearly increased when the length of the alkyl chain bound to the imidazolium cation increased. Rhodium complex 1b in BMimPF6 can be reused without noticeable loss of catalytic activity and selectivity.