Silylation of silylketenes RSiCH=C=O 1 (a, R=Et-3; b, R=(BuMe2)-Bu-t;
c, :R=Pr-i(3)) with trimethylsilyltriflate in the presence of triethyl
amine was studied. Mixtures of the corresponding 1-trimethylsiloxy-2-s
ilylethynes RSiC=COSiMe3 2 and trimethylsilyl(silyl)ketenes RSi(Me3Si)
C=C=O 3 in the case of la and Ib were obtained. By this reaction only
2c was prepared from Ic. Heating of mixtures of 2a, 3a and 2b, 3b at 1
00-110 degrees C affords pure ketenes 3a and 3b respectively; heating
of 2c under the same conditions takes place practically without rearra
ngement. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science S.A.