The cobalt(II) complex of a new tridentate Schiff-base ligand as a catalyst for hydrosilylation of olefins

Abstract Condensation of 1-methyl-2-imidazolecarboxaldehyde with 2-(1-methylhydrazinyl)pyridine results in the synthesis of new, tridentate Schiff-base ligand L , which readily reacts with CoCl 2 to form a monometallic [Co L Cl 2 ] complex that, upon reduction, functions as active hydrosilylation catalyst. The ligand and the [Co L Cl 2 ] catalyst have been characterized spectroscopically (MS, NMR, FTIR) and by single crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. The results of preliminary catalytic experimentation show that the cobalt complex can induce hydrosilylation and dehydrogenative silylation of olefins, depending upon the hydrosilane substrate used.