Trialkylsilyl groups nucleophilic addition reactions

Kinetic studies of the substitution reaction of 2-chloro-l-methylpyridinium iodide with phenoxides are consistent with the SnAt mechanism, with rate-determining nucleophilic attack.38 The effects of a variety of ring substituents on the reactivities of 2-fluoro- and 2-chloro-pyridines in reactions with sodium ethoxide in ethanol have been examined. The results were discussed in terms of the combination of steric, inductive, and repulsive interactions.39 Substitution in 2,4,6-trihalopyridines normally occurs preferentially at the 4-position. However, the presence of a trialkylsilyl group at the 3-position has been shown to suppress reaction at adjacent positions, allowing substitution at the 6-position.40 Methods have been reported for the introduction and removal of fluorine atoms for polyfluoropyridines. Additional fluorine atoms were introduced by metallation, chlorination, and then fluorodechlorination, while selective removal of fluorine was achieved by reduction with either metals or complex hydrides or alternatively by substitution by hydrazine followed by dehydrogena-tion-dediazotization.41... 

Carbon-centered nucleophiles can also be used to advantage in the reaction with epoxides. For example, the lithium enolate of cyclohexanone 96 engages in nucleophilic attack of cyclohexene oxide 90 in the presence of boron trifluoride etherate to give the ketol 97 in 76% yield with predominant syn stereochemistry about the newly formed carbon-carbon bond <03JOC3049>. In addition, a novel trimethylaluminum / trialkylsilyl triflate system has been reported for the one-pot alkylation and silylation of epoxides, as exemplified by the conversion of alkenyl epoxide 98 to the homologous silyl ether 99. The methyl group is delivered via backside attack on the less substituted terminus of the epoxide <03OL3265>. 

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