Hydrosilylation of nitriles and tertiary amides using a zinc precursor.

We report a competent and selective hydrosilylation of nitriles and tertiary amides catalyzed by the readily available zinc bis(hexamethyldisilazide) under solvent-free and mild conditions, making it a sustainable and desirable alternative to existing methods. Both protocols afforded high conversion, superior selectivity, and a broad substrate scope, from electron-withdrawing to electron-donating and heterocyclic substitutions.