B(C(6)F(5))(3)-Catalyzed hydrosilation of imines via silyliminium intermediates

A broad range of benzaldimines and ketimines can be hydrosilated efficiently, employing B(C(6)F(5))(3) as a catalyst in conjunction with PhMe(2)SiH. Spectral evidence supports the intermediacy of a silyliminium cation with a hydridoborate counterion formed via abstraction of a hydride from PhMe(2)SiH by B(C(6)F(5))(3) in the presence of imines.