This report describes the synthesis and characterization of the Ni–Me complexes (R-indenyl)Ni(PR′3)Me (R = 1-i-Pr, 1-SiMe3, and 1,3-(SiMe3)2; R′= Me, Ph) and outlines their catalytic reactivities in the dehydrogenative oligomerization of PhSiH3 and its addition to styrene in the absence of initiators/activators. Observation of higher hydrosilylation activities for PPh3-based compounds featuring bulky substituents on the indenyl ligand confirms earlier suggestions that phosphine dissociation is an important component of the catalytic cycle for this reaction. In contrast, oligomerization of PhSiH3 is more facile with PMe3-based precursors and independent of the steric bulk of the indenyl ligand, implying that this reaction does not involve phosphine dissociation. These conclusions are consistent with the variable-temperature 1H NMR spectra of 1,3,-(SiMe3)2-indenyl}Ni(PR′3)Me and various structural parameters observed in the solid-state structures of 1,3,-(SiMe3)2-indenyl}Ni(PPh3)Me, 1,3,-(SiMe3)2-indenyl}Ni(PMe3)Cl, and 1-SiMe3-indenyl}Ni(PMe3)Me.Key words: nickel-indenyl complexes, hydrosilylation, hydrosilane oligomerization.