Tris(trimethylsilyl) titanacyclobutene: A new mild reagent for the conversion of carbonyls to alkenyl silanes

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0040-4039(95)00579-2

Thermolysis of Cp₂Ti(CH₂SiMe₃)₂ in the presence of Me₃SiC≡CSiMe₃ forms tris(trimethylsilyl) titanacyclobutene. Unlike other titanacyclobutenes which undergo insertion with carbonyl compounds, this reagent serves as a precursor to Cp₂Ti=CHSiMe₃, converting carbonyl compounds to the corresponding alkenyl silanes. This olefination takes place under mild conditions even at room temperature and works with aldehydes, ketones, esters, thioesters and lactones.