Conjugate addition of organosiloxanes to alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl compounds catalyzed by a cationic rhodium complex.

[reaction: see text] A novel, additive-free, and clean conjugate addition reaction of organosiloxanes to alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl compounds catalyzed by a cationic rhodium complex in water-containing solvent has been developed. A plausible reaction mechanism involving the additive-free transmetalation step between the rhodium complex and the silicon reagent is proposed.