Access to branched allylsilanes by nickel-catalyzed regioselective hydrosilylation of allenes

A Ni(acac)(2)/Xantphos-catalyzed hydrosilylation of allenes has been developed. It is the first reported example of using a readily available nickel catalyst to produce branched allylsilanes in high yields with exceptional regiocontrol. This Earth-abundant base-metal catalyst proved to be suitable for a broad range of allenes, offering a general and efficient route to branched allylsilanes. A Ni(0)-species involved mechanism is proposed.