New one carbon homologation reagents utilizing electrochemical oxidation of organosilicon compounds

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4020(01)87051-4

Phenylthio(trimethylsilyl)methane, phenylthiobis(trimethylsilyl)methane, methoxy(trimethylsilyl)-methane, and methoxybis(trimethylsilyl)methane are deprotonated and the resulting anions are alkylated with electrophiles such as organic halides. The alkylation products are readily converted into the corresponding dimethyl acetals or methyl esters by electrochemical oxidation in methanol.