The preparation and rhodium catalysed C-H insertion reactions of (alko
xysilyl)diazoacetates are reported, leading to the diastereoselective
synthesis of.3,4,5-trisubstituted 1-oxa-2-silacyclopentanes. Reduction
of the pendant ester group followed by oxidative C-Si bond cleavage f
urnishes 1.2,4-triols. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reser
ved.