Intramolecular allylation of the azo group of 2-(allylsilyl)azobenzenes and its photocontrol

Pentacoordinate allylsilanes bearing an azobenzene moiety were synthesized and their structures were elucidated. The reaction of allyldifluorosilane (E)-7a with BF3 · OEt2 did not proceed, but (E)-7a was allowed to react with a fluoride ion to give tetrafluorosilicate 8a via intramolecular allyl-migration from the silicon atom onto the azo group. Activation of both the nucleophilic and electrophilic parts by the Si⋯N interaction was found to be important for promotion of the allyl-migration reaction. The azobenzene moiety of the allylsilane was reversibly isomerized by photoirradiation. The (Z)-7a formed by photoirradiation of (E)-7a is in a tetracoordinate state in contrast to the (E)-7a, and it did not react with a fluoride ion at all under the conditions where (E)-7a reacted quantitatively. The reactivity was successfully controlled without changing any conditions other than the change of the coordination number of the silicon atom induced by photoirradiation.