Electrochemical Synthesis of (α-Halobenzyl)silanes and Benzyl Disilanes

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/jo00281a025

Electrochemical reduction of a series of substituted benzal chlorides (4) in dimethylformamide containing excess chlorotrimetylsilane affords (α-chlorobenzyl)trimetylsilanes (5) or benzal (geminal) disilanes (6), depending upon experimental conditions.Benzal bromide (13) is reducted to (α-bromobenzyl)trimetylsilane (14) cleanly and in high yield without subsequent conversion to the geminal disilane 6a, apparently because of electrode passivation by bromide ion.The reaction are conveniently carried out at constant current in an undivided cell containing a stainless steel cathode and sacrificial magnesium anode.