Well-defined alkali metal catalysts for selective reduction of functionalized esters and carbonyl compounds via hydrosilylation.

Well-defined 2,2':6',2″-terpyridine-ligated alkali metal complexes catalysed the chemo- and regioselective reduction of esters and carbonyl compounds through hydrosilylation under mild conditions. Unusual regioselectivity on the alkene group was observed for the reduction of α,β-unsaturated esters.