Hydrosilylation of alkenes catalysed by rhodium complexes immobilized on silica via a pyridine group

2-(2-Trimethoxysilylethyl)pyridine, together with 3-methcryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane, was used to prepare a series of rhodium carbonyl complexes bound to silica via a pyridine group. The rhodium complex Rh₂(CO)₄Cl₂ (Rh₂) was used as the starting compound, and the immobilized complexes were prepared by four different routes which yielded both surface-bonded complexes and complexes bonded within the silicate matrix. These complexes were efficient catalysts of hydrosilylation of octene by triethxysilane. All the immobilized complexes were more than their homogeneous analogues and some could be re-used.