Ruthenium-silylene complex

A second type of reactive metal-silicon bond involves multiple bonding, as might exist in a silylene complex, LnM=SiR2. The synthesis of isolable silylene complexes has led to the observation of new silicon-based reactivity patterns redistribution at silicon occurs via bi-molecular reactions of silylene complexes with osmium silylene complexes, reactions have been observed that mimic proposed transformations in the Direct Process. And, very recently, ruthenium silylene complexes have been reported to be catalytically active in hydrosilylation reactions. 

The reactivity of metal-silylene complexes is more limited than the reactivity of carbene complexes. The cationic base-stabilized ruthenium-silylene complex in Equation 13.37 does not react with olefins or alkynes to undergo [2-1-2] addition reactions. However, a related complex did undergo [2-1-2] addition reactions with isocyanates, as shown in Equation 13.46. Other reactions of silylene complexes are distinct from those of carbene complexes or those of other conventional organometallic compounds. For example, the reaction of the silylene hydride with an acetylene generates a p-silylvinylarene complex... 

Fasulo ME, Glaser PB, Tilley TD (2011) Cp (PiPr3)RuOTf a reagent for access to ruthenium silylene complexes. Organometallics 30 5524... 

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