An efficient oxidative cleavage of carbon-silicon bonds by a dioxygen/hydroquinone system

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4039(01)89014-6

Carbon-silicon bonds in alkylalkoxysilanes readily undergo cleavage by dioxygen in the presence of hydroquinone derivatives to give the corresponding alcohols in good yields. The real oxidant is dry hydrogen peroxide generated in situ. The oxidation proceeds with complete retention of configuration at an sp³ carbon center.