An efficient synthesis of alpha-(alkoxysilyl)acetic esters by Si-H ins
ertion of carbenes, generated by rhodium catalyzed decomposition of di
azoacetic esters, followed by nucleophilic displacement of Cl by ROH h
as been developed. Alkylation of these alpha-silyl carbonyls followed
by Tamao oxidation of the C-Si bond allow an easy access to terminal d
iols.