Chemo- and diastereoselective Bi(OTf)3-catalyzed benzylation of silyl nucleophiles

The direct alkylation of silyl enol ethers with para-methoxybenzylic alcohols or their corresponding acetates was efficiently catalyzed by Bi(OTf)3 in CH3NO2 as the solvent. The reaction provided the α-benzylated carbonyl compounds in high yields after short reaction times using 1–2.5 mol % of the catalyst. Benzylic acetates other than para-methoxybenzylic acetates also underwent the reaction. High facial diastereoselectivities were observed with acetates derived from chiral α-branched para-methoxybenzylic alcohols. In addition, a catalytic reduction with Et3SiH as the reducing agent is reported.