Rhodium(I) N-heterocyclic carbene complexes as catalysts for the hydrosilylation of aromatic ketones with triethylsilane

New rhodium(I) N-heterocyclic carbene complexes were synthesized and used as catalysts in the hydrosilylation of acetophenone derivatives with triethylsilane. These Rh(I)-NHC complexes showed the good catalytic performance for the hydrosilylation of acetophenone derivatives and the corresponding hydrosilylation products were obtained in moderate to good yields. [Display omitted] •The new Rh(I)-NHC complexes were prepared.•These complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, 1H, 13C NMR spectroscopy.•The new RhI complexes were tested as catalysts in the hydrosilylation of acetophenone derivatives. New rhodium(I) N-heterocyclic carbene complexes were synthesized in good yields by the reactions of rhodium dimer [Rh(OMe)COD]2 with two equivalent of 1,3-dialkylimidazolinium chloride salts in tetrahydrofuran. All of the complexes were characterized using elemental analysis, 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectroscopy. These complexes were used as catalysts in the hydrosilylation of acetophenone derivatives with triethylsilane at 80°C for 1h. These Rh(I)-NHC complexes showed the good catalytic performance for the hydrosilylation of acetophenone derivatives and the corresponding hydrosilylation products were obtained in moderate to good yields by using 1mol% of the rhodium complex.