Bistrimethylsilylpropargylic Ether: A Versatile Ambident Synthon to Access Substituted Allenyne Ethers and α-Substituted Bispropargylic Alcohols

The reactivity of 1,5-bis(trimethylsilyl)propargylic ethers 3 toward bases and electrophiles was investigated. Bispropargylic ethers 4, substituted allenyne ethers 6-8, and alpha-substituted bispropargylic ethers 9 were prepared in good yields, respectively, by protodesilylation, isomerization, or metalation/alkylation of bispropargylic protected alcohol 3. The ambident behavior of metalated synthon 3 was discussed and rationalized. Removal of the protecting groups of 9 easily afforded useful alpha-substituted bispropargylic alcohol.