Preparations of Silyl Anions

Abstract This review collates synthetic procedures for the synthesis of different silyl anions, which are valuable reagents for chemists, particularly in the field of organic synthesis and organometallic chemistry. This includes the preparation of silyl anions of lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, and cesium from group I metals and silyl anions of beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, and barium from group II metals. Synthetic procedures for silyl anions of zirconium, hafnium, cadmium, and zinc are also covered. The synthesis of group XIII silyl anions of boron and aluminum is also highlighted. 1 Introduction 2 Silyl Anions of Group I Metals 2.1 Silyllithium 2.2 Silylsodium 2.3 Silylpotassium 2.4 Silylrubidium and Silylcesium 3 Silyl Anions of Group II Metals 3.1 Silylberyllium 3.2 Silylmagnesium 3.3 Silylcalcium, -strontium, and -barium 4 Silyl Anions of Transition Metals 4.1 Silylzirconium and -hafnium 4.2 Silylcopper and -cuprates 4.3 Silylzinc 4.4 Disilylzinc 4.5 Silylzincate 4.6 Silylcadmium 5 Silyl Pronucleophiles of Group XIII 5.1 Silylboranes 5.2 Silylaluminum 6 Silyl Anions of Group XIV 6.1 Disilane Synthesis 7 Conclusions