Abstract
Synthetic utility of silacyclobutane as a C3 building block in the constitution of carbon skeletons is described. Topics are (1) lithium carbenoids induced ring enlargement of silacyclobutane into silacyclopentane, (2) nucleophile-induced ring enlargement of 1- (1-iodoalkyl) silacyclobutane and 1- (1, 2-epoxyalkyl) silacyclobutane into silacyclopentane, (3) triethylborane-induced radical cyclization of 1-allyloxy-2-halosilacyclopentane, (4) noncatalyzed stereoselective allylation of carbonyl compounds with allylsilacyclobutanes, and (5) preparation of 3-methylenesilacyclobutane and its use in organic synthesis.
