Hydrosilylation of alkynes catalyzed by platinum on carbon

Hydrosilylation of terminal and internal alkynes with chlorosilanes, alkylsilanes, and alkoxysilanes catalyzed by platinum on carbon are discussed. The yields of the isolated vinylsilanes are high and the selectivity of the product depends on the silane used. Hydrosilylation of alkynes with chlorosilanes produced the β-trans vinylsilanes, while alkyl and alkoxysilanes produced two or three vinylsilane isomers. The selectivity of the catalyst platinum on carbon is similar to Karstedtʹs catalyst in the reaction of phenylacetylene with triethylsilane or triethoxysilane. High resolution electron microscopy showed colloidal platinum to be present in these reactions.