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The Stereochemistry of Silenes and Alpha-Lithio Silanes

When E- or Z-l-methyl-l-phenyl-2-neopentylsilene was generated by the retro-Diels-Alder vacuum-sealed tube thermolysis of its corresponding anthracene adduct, in the presence of various alkoxysilanes, only one diastereomeric adduct was formed in each case, showing that the reactions are stereospecific. An x-ray crystal structure of the methoxytriphenylsilane adduct of the E-silene confirmed its relative configuration as (R,S) or (S,R). This demonstrated that the addition of alkoxysilanes to silenes is stereospecific and syn. The relative configurations of similar alkoxysilane and alkoxystannane adducts to E- and Z-l-methyl-l-phenyl-2-neopentylsilene were assigned based on a combination of xray structures and *3C NMR data. A strong, nonbonded oxygen-metal interaction is apparent in all of those compounds studied. Treatment of the alkoxystannane adducts with alkyl lithium reagents results in tin-lithium exchange in some cases. The results indicate that the resulting <x-lithio alkoxysilanes are not configurationally stable in either THF or hydrocarbon solvents. The reaction of tert butyl lithium with a-trimethylsilylvinylmethylphenylchlorosilane in hydrocarbon solvents yields E- and Z-l-methyl-l-phenyl-2-neopentyl-2-trimethylsilylsilene. In the absence of any traps these silenes undergo a novel tert butyl lithium catalyzed rearrangement to 2-phenyl-3-trimethylsilyl-5,5-dimethyl-2-silahex-3-ene. These silenes were also trapped as their [4+2] cycloadducts with anthracene. The Z-isomer of the anthracene adduct was separated and its stereochemistry confirmed by an x-ray crystal structure. The anthracene adducts of both E- and Z-l-methyl-1-phenyl-2-neopentyl-2-trimethylsilylsilene undergo a facile, stereospecific decomposition at temperatures as low as 190°C to regenerate their respective silenes, the mildest stereospecific route to a silene yet reported. The E- and Z-silenes react stereospecifically with methanol under vacuum-sealed tube conditions. The stereochemistry of the addition is syn and a common mechanism is proposed for the addition of alcohols and the addition of alkoxysilanes to silenes.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:unt.edu/info:ark/67531/metadc332323
Date05 1900
CreatorsBates, Tim Frank
ContributorsJones, Paul R., Conlin, Robert T., Brady, William Thomas, Thomas, Ruthanne D.
PublisherNorth Texas State University
Source SetsUniversity of North Texas
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeThesis or Dissertation
Formatv, 104 leaves: ill., Text
RightsPublic, Bates, Tim Frank, Copyright, Copyright is held by the author, unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved.

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