Catalytic and Regioselective Ring Expansion of Arylcyclobutanones with Trimethylsilyldiazomethane. Ligand-Dependent Entry to β-Ketosilane or Enolsilane Adducts

Divergent reactivity is uncovered in the homologation of arylcyclobutanones with trimethylsilyldiazomethane. With Sc(OTf)(3) as catalyst, enolsilanes are obtained with a high preference for methylene migration. By contrast, Sc(hfac)(3) gives beta-ketosilanes with both regio- and diastereocontrol. Each adduct affords the cyclopentanone upon hydrolysis.