A General Deoxygenative Hydrosilylation of Oxo Chemicals Catalyzed by a Bipyridine-Ligated Chromium Complex

We report the general deoxygenative hydrosilylation of oxo chemicals that was catalyzed by an air-stable bipyridine-ligated chromium complex. A broad range of oxygen-containing compounds such as carboxylic esters, ketones, aldehydes, alcohols, and ethylene oxides can be used as precursors, providing a versatile strategy for the formation of methyl- or methylene-bearing motifs by the dissipation of oxygen moieties. The method has been applied to the synthesis of several bioactive molecules.