Metal‐Free Derivatization of Benzhydrols with Organosilanes

Abstract

A methodology for the direct coupling between benzhydryl alcohols and organotrimethylsilanes has been developed. This transformation occurs in the presence of a substoichiometric amount of an inexpensive, commercially available aqueous tetrafluoroboric acid catalyst. The developed conditions demonstrate good functional group tolerance to both electron‐donating and electron‐withdrawing substituents. Additionally, the reaction conditions do not require the exclusion of air and moisture.