The discerning transformation of unsaturated compounds has arisen as an imperative approach in chemical synthesis, facilitating the creation of functional organic molecules. For several decades, there has been a great deal of research and development focused on the catalytic incorporation of silanes into multiple bonds. The organosilicon derivatives that are obtained exhibit mild toxicity, convenient handling, and notable stability, thereby presenting a diverse array of potential applications. The investigation of Earth-abundant alternatives has become a significant area of research focus due to the expensive nature, limited selectivity, and numerous side reactions associated with precious metal catalysts. The exploration of ligand skeleton construction, selectivity, and mechanism research reveals the superior potential of cobalt catalysts compared to iron and nickel catalysts.

Abstract

The selective conversion of unsaturated compounds has emerged as a crucial method in chemical synthesis, enabling the synthesis of functional organic molecules. In recent decades, transition metal-catalyzed hydrosilylation has emerged as a highly successful exemplar of industrialization within the realm of organic chemistry for the production of organosilanes, which have a pivotal role in organic chemistry and materials science. Precious metal complexes are typically employed as catalysts in most industrial hydrosilylation processes. The exploration of Earth-abundant alternatives has emerged as a focal point of considerable research attention due to the high cost, poor selectivity, and many side reactions reported for precious metal catalysts. Ligand skeleton construction, selectivity, and mechanism research are areas where cobalt catalysts have more potential than iron and nickel. This review discusses the recent advances in cobalt-catalyzed hydrosilylation across carbon-carbon, carbon-oxygen, and carbon-nitrogen multiple bonds from 2019 to 2023.