Rhodium(III) Catalyzed Solvent-Free Tandem Isomerization–Hydrosilylation From Internal Alkenes to Linear Silanes

The selective synthesis of linear silanes from internal alkenes or alkene mixtures is reported. Unsaturated 16 electrons hydrido–silyl–RhIII complexes are efficient catalysts for a tandem catalytic alkene isomerization–hydrosilylation reaction at room temperature under solvent-free conditions. Such a process would be of value to the chemical industry, as mixtures of internal aliphatic olefins are substantially cheaper and more readily available than the pure terminal isomers.