Synthesis and reactions of p-vinylbenzyltris(trimethylsilyl)methane

Benzyl chloride was treated with (Me3Si)3CLi to give (Me3Si)3CCH2Ph (1). A new styrene derivative, (Me3Si)3CCH2C6H4(CHdouble bond; length as m-dashCH2-p) (2), was synthesized by reaction of p-vinylbenzyl chloride with (Me3Si)3CLi in the presence of CuCl. Addition and oxidation reactions on 2 gave a series of new compounds (Me3Si)3CCH2C6H4X-p (X = CH2CH3, CHBrCH2Br, CHClCH2I, CHBrCH2I, cyclo-C3H3Cl2, CHOHCH2OH, COOH, CH2OH).