Several o-phenol-containing alkoxyvinylsilanes were prepared and their phot
ochemistry was investigated. These materials were prepared via hydrosilylat
ion of the corresponding o-acetoxy arylacetylenes. Two major classes of pho
tochemical processes were identified in these reactants: trans --> cia isom
erization, leading to an intramolecular nucleophilic substitution process a
t silicon, and 1,5-silyl shift, leading to an unsymmetrical dialkoxysilane.
The major outcome of this work is a novel class of photochemically removab
le protecting groups. Two alkyl substitutions on silicon, the dimethyl and
diisopropyl, were examined. The latter is more stable and is preferred for
protecting groups that must tolerate multiple steps or reagents. Protection
of alcohols is generally performed starting with the arylethynyl acetate,
which can be subjected to hydrosilylation, alcohol substitution, and acetat
e deprotection without isolation of intermediates. Two groups were studied
in detail, the phenol and 2 naphthol Vinyl silane derivatives. A variety of
primary and secondary alcohols were protected with these reagents. These g
roups can be deprotected cleanly and in high yield by irradiation from 250
to 350 nm.