A heptanuclear iron carbonyl cluster, [Fe₃(CO)₁₁(μ-H)]₂Fe(DMF)₄ (4), is found to be a highly efficient catalyst for the reduction of various carboxamides by 1,2-bis(dimethylsilyl)benzene (BDSB), which makes possible reducing the amount of the catalyst, shortening the reaction time, and lowering the reaction temperatures.

Iron disilyl dicarbonyl complex 1, in which two H–Si moieties of the 1,2-bis(dimethylsilyl)benzene ligand were coordinated to the iron center in an η²-(H–Si) fashion, was synthesized by the reaction of (η⁴-C₆H₈)Fe(CO)₃ with 2 equiv. of 1,2-bis(dimethylsilyl)benzene under photo-irradiation. Complex 1 demonstrated high catalytic activity toward the hydrogenation of alkenes, the hydrosilylation of alkenes and the reduction of carbonyl compounds.