Synlett 2008(20): 3249-3250  
DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1067279
SPOTLIGHT
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart ˙ New York

Triethylsilane (TES)

Jorge de Almeida Rodrigues Jr*
Chemistry Institute, Organic Chemistry Department, Centro de Tecnolgia, Bloco A, Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21941-590 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
e-Mail: j_rodriguesjr@yahoo.com.br;
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
24 November 2008 (online)

Introduction

Triethylsilane (TES or Et3SiH) is a versatile reagent in organic chemistry that can be used primarily as a hydride source in a series of reduction reactions, including etherification of carbonyls, [¹] aldol reactions, [²] conversion of aliphatic carboxyl derivates in hydrocarbons, [³] and reduction of organic azides to amines [4] and nitro groups to hydroxyl­amines or amines. [5] TES also has great potential for use in radical reactions, performing as an alternative to the toxic Bu3SnH as hydrogen source. [6] Recently, TES was shown to be a good reagent for generating hydrogen in situ on catalytic surfaces, [7] leading to successful hydrogenation reactions without the use of the dangerous hydrogen gas.