Base‐Catalyzed C( sp )−H Bond Silylation With Silacyclobutanes
Abstract
Alkynylsilanes are versatile building blocks in organic synthesis and materials science, yet their direct synthesis via C(sp)-H silylation remains challenging due to the frequent requirement for precious-metal catalysts or hydrosilane reagents. Herein, we report a base-catalyzed intermolecular C(sp)-H bond silylation of terminal alkynes using silacyclobutanes (SCBs) as silicon sources, representing a fundamentally distinct strategy from previously reported transition-metal-mediated processes. Enabled by catalytic LiHMDS under mild conditions, this protocol proceeds efficiently at room temperature without the involvement of Rh or other noble metals. Notably, the reaction operates through C─Si bond cleavage of the strained silacyclobutane, rather than Si-H activation or metal insertion pathways, thereby circumventing competitive hydrosilylation and hydrogen evolution. Good functional-group tolerance, excellent chemoselectivity, and gram-scale applicability further highlight the practicality of this transformation. Preliminary mechanistic studies indicate that C(sp)─H bond cleavage is not involved in the rate-determining step.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Organoboron and organosilicon chemistry
Catalytic C–H Functionalization Methods
Catalytic Cross-Coupling Reactions
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Chemistry - A European Journal
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Volume
- 32
- Issue
- 24
- Pages
- e71004–e71004
- Publication date
- 16 April 2026
- Language
- EN