Cationic copper(I) complexes as efficient precatalysts for the hydrosilylation of carbonyl compounds

Novel cationic copper complexes bearing two N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) have been synthesized and fully characterized. These air- and moisture-stable complexes were found to be highly active toward the hydrosilylation of ketones with varying steric congestion, aldehydes (even enolizable ones), and esters.