Enol Silyl Ethers via Copper(II)-Catalyzed C–O Bond Formation

Copper(II) acetate catalyzes the coupling of pinacol vinylboronates with silanols producing enol silyl ethers. This represents a novel enol silyl ether synthesis via formation of the C-O bond instead of the conventional Si-O bond. This also constitutes the first transition-metal-catalyzed oxidative cross-coupling with silanols.