Addition of tris(trimethylsilyl)silyl radicals to the carbonyl group

The reactions of tris(trimethylsilyl)silyl radicals with some compounds containing the carbonyl function (dialkyl or diaryl ketones and quinones) have been studied in solution by means of laser flash photolysis and ESR spectroscopy. The reactivities vary significantly with the nature of the substrate and the rate constants cover a range of four orders of magnitude. Overall tris(trimethylsilyl)silane is found to be an effective hydrosilylating agent for dialkyl ketones, operating through a free radical mechanism. © 1990.