E-H (E = R3Si or H) bond activation by B(C6F5)3 and heteroarenes; competitive dehydrosilylation, hydrosilylation and hydrogenation.

In the presence of B(C6F5)3 five-membered heteroarenes undergo dehydrosilylation and hydrosilylation with silanes. The former, favoured on addition of a weak base, produces H2 as a by-product making the process catalytic in B(C6F5)3 but also enabling competitive heteroarene hydrogenation.