Curiosity and simplicity in the invention and discovery of new metal-mediated reactions for organic synthesis

Abstract

Two organometallic themes of current interest are presented. The scope and generality of the reductive deoxygenation of carbonyl compounds to organozinc carbenoids using zinc in combination with a silicon electrophile is discussed. Alkoxycyclopropanation can be achieved using orthoformates as substrates. Preliminary observations on the development of a rhodium-catalyzed tandem hydrosilylation-intramolecular aldol sequence are discussed.