A study on the influence of a silicon group on the Curtius reaction

Abstract

The effect of a dimethyl(phenyl)silyl group at different positions with respect to an acyl azide moiety on the Curtius reaction has been investigated. A silyl group at the β-position enhanced the reaction rate by about three times compared to a non-silylated analog. However, a silyl group at the γ-position had only a minor influence on the reaction. A diacyl azide having a silyl group at the β-position with respect to one acyl azide group and at the γ-position with respect to the other acyl azide group has been prepared and subjected to the Curtius reaction in order to evaluate the possible synthetic potential which originates from the control exerted by the silicon group in such systems.