Synthesis of azasilacyclopentenes and silanols via Huisgen cycloaddition-initiated C-H bond insertion cascades

Chem Sci. 2017 Oct 1;8(10):7132-7137. doi: 10.1039/c7sc03130k. Epub 2017 Sep 4.

Abstract

An unusual transition metal-free cascade reaction of alkynyl carbonazidates was discovered to form azasilacyclopentenes. Mild thermolysis afforded the products via a series of cyclizations, rearrangements, and an α-silyl C-H bond insertion (rather than the more common Wolff rearrangement, 1,2-shift, or β-silyl C-H insertion) to form silacyclopropanes. A mechanistic proposal for the sequence was informed by control experiments and the characterization of reaction intermediates. The substrate scope and post-cascade transformations were also explored.