RuHCl(CO)(PPh₃)₃-Catalyzed Isomerization of Homoallyl Silyl Ethers and Carbonates to Allyl Silyl Ethers and Carbonates

The selective olefin isomerization of homoallyl silyl ethers and carbonates was studied using RuHCl(CO)(PPh₃)₃ as a catalyst. While an aryl or alkyl substituent at the α-position to the oxygen atom caused the selective conversion to allyl silyl ethers, no substituent at the α-position resulted in the isomerization to enol silyl ethers. In contrast, the isomerization of homoallyl carbonates gave the corresponding allyl carbonates selectively regardless of the substituent at α-position. (Figure presented.).