Selective Metal-Free Hydrosilylation of CO2 Catalyzed by Triphenylborane in Highly Polar, Aprotic Solvents

Triphenylborane (BPh3 ) in highly polar, aprotic solvents catalyzes hydrosilylation of CO2 effectively under mild conditions to provide silyl formates with high chemoselectivity (>95 %) and without over-reduction. This system also promotes reductive hydrosilylation of tertiary amides as well as dehydrogenative coupling of silane with alcohols.