Unexpected catalytic activity of simple triethylborohydrides in the hydrosilylation of alkenes

The first example of sodium triethylborohydride-catalysed hydrosilylation of alkenes is reported. The hydrosilylation of certain alkenes, in particular styrenes, vinylsilanes and allyl glycidyl ether, with aromatic hydrosilanes proceeded in a highly regioselective manner to give Markovnikov products. It is significant that several protocols use NaHBEt₃ as a reducing agent generating active catalysts in situ of other hydrosilylation reactions. An anionic mechanism of hydrosilylation is proposed.