Trialkylsilyl triflimides as easily tunable organocatalysts for allylation and benzylation of silyl carbon nucleophiles with non-genotoxic reagents

Trialkylsilyl triflimides generated in situ are unique catalysts for the electrophilic benzylation or allylation of trialkylsilylenol ethers or allyl trialkylsilanes with non-genotoxic alkylating reagents such as benzyl and allyl acetates. In most cases the reactions are fast at room temperature and yields are high. The reaction works particularly well with electron-rich benzyl donors including derivatives of pyrrole, indole and furane.