title: 9-Silafluorenes via base-promoted homolytic aromatic substitution (BHAS)--the electron as a catalyst.
abstract: Transition-metal-free intramolecular radical silylation of 2-diphenylsilylbiaryls via base-promoted homolytic aromatic substitution (BHAS) to give 9-silafluorenes is reported. 2-Diphenylsilylbiaryls are readily prepared, and cross dehydrogenative silylation occurs with tert-butylhydroperoxide (TBHP) as a cheap stoichiometric oxidant in the presence of a small amount of tetrabutylammonium iodide (TBAI) as an initiator. These cyclizations are catalyzed by the electron.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Organic Chemistry, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität , Corrensstraße 40, 48149 Münster, Germany.
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Leifert
authors.forename: Armido
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Studer