RhH(CO)(PPh3)(3) appeared to be a very effective catalyst for dispropo
rtionation of vinylsilanes and their co-disproportionation with styren
e and 1-decene. The insertion of vinylsilane (or bis(silyl)ethene) int
o the Rh-H bond followed by beta-silyl transfer to form a Rh-Si bond a
nd elimination of ethylene (or vinylsilane), in combination with a MS
study of the product of the reaction of styrene-d(8) with vinylsilane
and well-known insertion of alkene into the Rh-Si bond accounts for a
non-metallacarbene mechanism of a new rhodium-catalyzed silylation of
olefins with vinylsilanes.