Cyanoethylation of Trichlorosilane. II. α-Addition

Contrary to the case of β-cyanoethylation, α-cyanoethylation of trichlorosilane was found to take place in an autoclave in the presence of either pyridine or platinized asbestos. In the reactions in sealed glass tubes, on the other hand, stainless steel and pyridine, mono- and tetrapyridine nickel chloride, and nickel chloride pyridine hydrochloride complex were effective for the α-addition. An ionic mechanism was suggested for the α-cyanoethylation. The structural proof of α-cyanoethyltri-chlorosilane was given from the comparison of the physical constants and chemical behaviour of it to those of the β-isomer. α- Cyanoethyl-triethoxysilane and -trimethyl- Silane were prepared from α-cyanoethyl-trichlorosilane and characterised.