Cross-coupling of vinyldisilacyclobutane with olefins catalyzed by [RuH(Cl)(CO)(PCy3)2]

Cross-coupling of vinyldisilacyclobutane with a variety of olefins in the presence of [RuH(Cl)(CO)(PCy3)2] leads to stereoselective formation of functionalized vinyldisilacyclobutanes. Analogous homo-coupling of vinyldisilacyclobutane leads to the formation of E- and gem-bis(silyl)ethenes. The reaction offers a new route for synthesis of attractive monomers for ring opening polymerization (ROP).