Hypervalent azido- and cyanosilicate derivatives, prepared in situ by the r
eaction of trimethylsilyl azide or trimethylsilyl cyanide, respectively, wi
th tetrabutylammonium fluoride, are effective sources of nucleophilic azide
or cyanide. Primary and secondary alkyl halides and sulfonates undergo rap
id and efficient azide or cyanide displacement in the absence of phase tran
sfer catalysts with the silicate derivatives. Application of these reagents
to the stereoselective synthesis of glycosyl azide derivatives is reported
.