TRANSITION-METAL-CATALYZED REACTION OF PERALKYLATED 3,4-BIS(ALKYLIDENE)-1,2-DISILACYCLOBUTANE

Peralkylated 3,4-bis(alkylidene)- 1,2-disilacyclobutanes prepared by c onvenient synthetic route were quantitatively converted to -tetrakis(a lkylidene)-1,2,5,6-tetrasilacyclooctane (twist and chair 1: 1 mixture) by Pd-catalyzed reaction. In the presence of unsaturated compounds, t his disilane metathesis reaction was inhibited to give double silylati on products. The reaction pathways are highly dependent upon electroni c factors of unsaturated compounds and the catalyst.