We developed a new class of cobalt catalysts based on NNN-pincer ligands for the efficient and selective synthesis of valuable organosilicon compounds. The system operates under mild, user-friendly conditions and delivers excellent performance in alkene hydrosilylation, consistently favoring anti-Markovnikov products with high selectivity and broad substrate scope.

Beyond hydrosilylation, the same catalytic platform enables the formation of Si–Si bonds through dehydrogenative coupling—representing the first example of this transformation using cobalt complexes. This allows direct access to disilanes, important building blocks in materials and synthetic chemistry.

Importantly, both processes can be combined into a one-pot sequence, offering a streamlined route to more complex silicon-based structures. This work highlights the potential of earth-abundant cobalt catalysts as sustainable alternatives to noble metals, providing flexible and scalable tools for modern silicon chemistry.