Ligand-controlled, norbornene-mediated, regio- and diastereoselective rhodium-catalyzed intramolecular alkene hydrosilylation reactions.

Ligand-controlled, norbornene-mediated, regio- and diastereoselective rhodium-catalyzed intramolecular alkene hydrosilylation of homoallyl silyl ethers (1) exploiting either BINAP or 1,6-bis(diphenylphosphino)hexane (dpph) has been developed. This method permits selective access to either trans-oxasilacyclopentanes (trans-2) or oxasilacyclohexanes (3) at will. A substoichiometric amount of norbornene markedly increased both yield and selectivity. A norbornene-mediated hydride shuttle process is discussed.