Oxidative cleavage of C–Si bonds in polyhydroxylated silacyclopentanes

Oxidative cleavage of C–Si bonds of polyhydroxylated silacyclopentanes under various conditions have led to both the desired polyols and to Peterson elimination products. Further studies on the reactivity of these silacycles, under acidic and basic conditions have been carried out, leading to unexpected results. Treatment of these silacycles under basic conditions thus provided various diols after the cleavage of Csp3–Si bonds. A mechanistic rationale has been proposed for each case.