Reduction of carbonyl groups by high-valent rhenium oxides

The catalytic activity of high valent oxo-rhenium derivatives for hydrosilylation of aldehydes and ketones has been investigated. We have found that methyltrioxorhenium(VII) and oxotrichlorobis(triphenylphosphine)rhenium(V) are effective catalysts for the hydrosilylation of aldehydes and ketones with dimethylphenylsilane.