Mild synthesis of silyl ethers via potassium carbonate catalyzed reactions between alcohols and hydrosilanes

A method has been developed for the silanolysis of alcohols using an abundant and non-corrosive base K2CO3 as a catalyst. Reactions between a variety of alcohols and hydrosilanes generate silyl ethers under mild conditions. The use of hydrosilanes leads to the formation of H-2 as the only byproduct thus avoiding the formation of stoichiometric strong acids. The mild conditions lead to a wide scope of possible alcohol substrates and good functional group tolerance. Selective alcohol silanolysis is also observed in the presence of reactive C-H bonds, lending this method for extensive use in protection group chemistry.