Transition Metal-Free Catalytic C-H Silylation of Terminal Alkynes with bis(Trimethylsilyl)acetylene Initiated by KHMDS

Commercially available and inexpensive potassium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide (KHMDS) serves as an efficient transition metal-free catalyst for the catalytic sp C-H silylation of several terminal alkynes including two pharmaceuticals. Overall, the presented system allows the synthesis of various attractive silylacetylenes under mild conditions, making this approach an environmentally benign and sustainable alternative to existing synthetic solutions.