Silylium‐Catalyzed Alkynylation and Etherification Reactions of Benzylic Acetates

Abstract

AbstractAddition of catalytic amounts of bistriflimide triggers useful coupling reactions of benzyl acetates with trimethyl(alkynyl)silanes and trimethyl(alkoxy)silanes to afford propargyl arenes and benzyl alkyl ethers, respectively. The added acid assists the release of reactive trimethylsilylium ion into the reaction media, which were found to act as the ultimate catalytic species responsible for the C−C and the C−O forming steps. The cationic nature of these coupling processes is documented.