When complexed by selected ligands in either the BIPHEP or the SEGPHOS series, CuH is anextremely reactive catalyst capable of effecting asymmetric hydrosilylations of aromatic ketones attemperatures between -50 and -78
C. Inexpensive silanes serve as stoichiometric sources of hydride.Substrate-to-ligand ratios exceeding 100,000:1 have been documented. The level of induction is usually inthe >90% ee category. The nature of the reagent has been investigated using spectroscopic and chemicalmeans, although its composition remains unclear.