Synthesis of Chiral Silanols from Desymmetrization of Dialkoxysilanes

Significance

The authors present a novel route to the synthesis of enantiomerically enriched ­silanols by the desymmetrization of dialkoxy­silanes. The reaction proceeds in excellent yields, though with moderate enantioselectivities. Conversion of the initial products into silanols can be accomplished by a Birch reduction. Reactions performed in hexane give higher enantiopurity than those with ether.