Visible-Light-Promoted Generation of Hydrogen from the Hydrolysis of Silanes Catalyzed by Rhodium(III) Porphyrins

Visible-light-promoted hydrolysis of silanes catalyzed by (TAP)Rh-I to produce silanols and dihydrogen efficiently under mild conditions was reported. (TAP)Rh-H was observed as the key intermediate through stoichiometric activation of the Si-H bond by (TAP)Rh-I. Addition of water drove the stoichiometric activation of Si-H into catalysis.