A new class of silatranes

A series of silatranes containing all six-membered rings N1CH2(Me2C6H2)O](3 )SiR was prepared using tris(2-hydroxy-4,6-dimethylbenzyl)amine as the enca psulating agent. VT H-1 NMR spectra reflected fluxional behavior for all of these chiral molecules. The activation energies for enantiomeric conversio n of the propeller-like silatranes correlated with the extent of structural rigidity associated with the ring system. The degree of nitrogen donor int eraction depends primarily on electronegativity effects induced at silicon by the exocyclic ligand.