Introduction
<P>Tris(trimethylsilyl)silane (TTMSS) has been used in many transformations, especially
in radical chain reactions. Chatgilialoglu et al. demonstrated that this reagent can
be a valuable substitute for tin reagents commonly used in radical processes.
[
1]
The Si-H bond dissociation energy in TTMSS of 79 kcal·mol
-1 is very similar to the Sn-H bond dissociation energy of 74 kcal·mol
-1 in Bu
3SnH.
[
2]
The ease of purification and the low toxicity of TTMSS make it an attractive alternative
to tin as a reducing agent. Interestingly, there are also reports demonstrating
that the behavior of TTMSS can be very different from that of tin hydrides.
[
3]
</P><P>This reagent is commercially available as a colorless liquid.
[
4]
It should be stored under nitrogen because it is sensitive towards oxygen.
[
5]
Reactions such as functional reductions,
[
6]
hydrosilylations,
[
7]
intramolecular cyclizations,
[
8]
intermolecular reactions,
[
9]
and non-radical reactions
[
10]
can be performed with TTMSS.</P>