Rhodium-Catalyzed Coupling of 2-Silylphenylboronic Acids with Alkynes Leading to Benzosiloles: Catalytic Cleavage of the Carbon−Silicon Bond in Trialkylsilyl Groups

The reaction of 2-(trimethylsilyl)phenylboronic acid with alkynes in the presence of a rhodium catalyst affords benzosilole derivatives. The arylvinylrhodium intermediate undergoes formal substitution at a silicon center, resulting in the cleavage of a robust silicon-methyl bond in the trimethylsilyl group.