A process and composition for the hydrosilylation of an unsaturated compound comprising reacting (a) a silyl hydride with (b) an unsaturated compound in the presence of (c) a platinum compound and (d) a cyclodiene, with the proviso that when the unsaturated compound is a terminal alkyne, the silyl hydride is other than a halosilane. The process and composition optionally comprise an inhibitor (e). The process and composition may be employed to form a variety of hydrosilylation products.

The invention relates to a method for producing complexes of precious metals, in particular platinum, which have at least one organo-dihydroazulenyl ligand. The invention also relates to complexes of precious metals, in particular platinum, which have at least one organo-dihydroazulenyl ligand and to the use of the aforementioned metal complexes as precatalysts or catalysts in a chemical reaction or as precursor compounds for producing a layer which contains a precious metal, in particular platinum, or a metal layer consisting of a precious metal, in particular platinum, in particular on at least one surface of a substrate. The invention additionally relates to a substrate, in particular a substrate which can be obtained according to such a method. The invention also relates to a crosslinkable silicon composition comprising at least one compound with aliphatic carbon-carbon multi-bonds, at least one compound with Si-bonded hydrogen atoms, and at least one platinum (IV) complex of the aforementioned type. The invention also relates to novel alkali metal organo-dihydroazulenyls which can be used to produce metal complexes, in particular of the aforementioned type.

A process for the hydrosilylation of an unsaturated compound comprising reacting (a) a silyl hydride with (b) an unsaturated compound in the presence of (c) a platinum based hydrosilylation catalyst comprising a platinum-diene complex with chelating anions. The use of the present catalysts in the process provides silylated products in good yields and allows for using lower platinum loadings than conventional catalysts, reduced cycle times, and may reduce yellowing in the product.

A hydrosilylation reaction catalyst prepared from: a prescribed transition metal compound such as iron pivalate, cobalt pivalate, iron acetate, cobalt acetate, or nickel acetate; a ligand comprising t-butylisocyanide or another isocyanide compound; and a borane compound, Grignard reagent, alkoxysilane, or other prescribed promoter makes it possible to promote a hydrosilylation reaction under moderate conditions, and has exceptional handling properties and storage stability.

A hydrosilylation reaction catalyst prepared from: a catalyst precursor comprising a transition metal compound, excluding platinum, belonging to group 8-10 of the periodic table, e.g., iron acetate, cobalt acetate, nickel acetate, etc.; and a ligand comprising an isocyanide compound such as t-butyl isocyanide. The hydrosilylation reaction catalyst has excellent handling and storage properties. As a result of using this catalyst, a hydrosilylation reaction can be promoted under gentle conditions.

A process and composition for the hydrosilylation of an unsaturated compound comprising reacting (a) a silyl hydride with (b) an unsaturated compound in the presence of (c) a platinum compound and (d) a cyclodiene, with the proviso that when the unsaturated compound is a terminal alkyne, the silyl hydride is other than a halosilane. The process and composition optionally comprise an inhibitor (e). The process and composition may be employed to form a variety of hydrosilylation products.

A hydrosilylation reaction catalyst prepared from: a catalyst precursor comprising a transition metal compound, excluding platinum, belonging to group 8-10 of the periodic table, e.g., iron acetate, cobalt acetate, nickel acetate, etc.; and a ligand comprising a carbine compound such as 1,3-dimesitylimidazol-2-ylidene, etc.. The hydrosilylation reaction catalyst has excellent handling and storage properties. As a result of using this catalyst, a hydrosilylation reaction can be promoted under gentle conditions.

A heterogeneous catalyst comprising a metal-containing polymer matrix covalently bonded to a support material and a method of making and using such catalysts. The metal-containing polymer matrix comprises metal nano-particles encapsulated in a polymer matrix, e.g., a siloxane. In one aspect, the metal-containing polymer matrix can be bonded to the support material via a hydrophobic group attached to the support material. The catalyst can be recovered after being used in a metal catalyzed reaction and exhibit excellent catalytic activity upon reuse in subsequent reactions.

The invention relates to polyether-modified siloxanes which are both superspreading and readily biodegradable. In particular, the invention is directed to a composition including polyether-modified siloxanes of formula (I)

M.sub.aD.sub.bD.sub.cFormula (I) with M=R.sup.1.sub.3SiO.sub.1/2, D=R.sup.1.sub.2SiO.sub.2/2, D=R.sup.1R.sup.2SiO.sub.2/2, where a is 2, b is between 0 and 0.1, c is between 1.0 and 1.15, 0 and 1.05, R.sup.1 are independently hydrocarbyl having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, preferably methyl, ethyl, propyl or phenyl radicals, especially preferably methyl radicals, R.sup.2 are independently a polyether radical of the formula (II)

R.sup.3O[CH.sub.2CH.sub.2O].sub.m[CH.sub.2CH(CH.sub.3)O].sub.nR.sup.5Formula (II) where m=3.4 to 11.0, n=2.5 to 8.0, wherein m/n=1.9 to 2.8, and R.sup.3 are independently divalent hydrocarbyl radicals having 2 to 8 carbon atoms, and R.sup.5 is hydrogen, wherein the polyether-modified siloxanes of formula (I) having a biodegradability of greater than 60%.

A metal complex including at least one metal atom chosen from the metals of Groups 8, 9 and 10 of the Periodic Table of the Elements and one or more ligands, wherein at least one ligand includes a cyclic silylene structure and a Lewis base which donates an electron pair to the silicon atom of the cyclic silylene structure.