Preparation of silyl enol ethers from acyloin derivatives using silyllithium reagents

A new method for the regioselective preparation of silyl enol ethers from acyloin derivatives using silyllithium reagents has been developed. Both dimethylphenyl- and methyldiphenylsilyllithium were found to be effective, the latter providing greater stereocontrol. The reaction is believed to proceed via Brook rearrangement assisted by expulsion of the adjacent leaving group. A number of acyclic acyloin derivatives were reacted to form the corresponding silyl enol ethers in good to excellent yield.