(Z)-Selective Hydrosilylation of Terminal Alkynes with HSiMe(OSiMe3)2 Catalyzed by a Ruthenium Complex Containing an N-Heterocyclic Carbene.

The N-heterocyclic-carbene-ligated ruthenium complex [RuHCl(CO)(H2IMes)(PCy3)] exhibits high catalytic activity for the (Z)-selective hydrosilylation of various terminal alkynes with 1,1,1,3,5,5,5-heptamethyltrisiloxane (HSiMe(OSiMe3)2). The stereoretentive derivatization of the (Z)-alkenylsiloxanes allows the synthesis of biologically active compounds, e.g. potent antitumor agents and inhibitors for induced-NO synthase.