Rhodium(II)-catalyzed stereoselective synthesis of allylsilanes.

The rhodium-catalyzed decomposition of 2-(triisopropylsilyl)ethyl aryl- and vinyldiazoacetates results in the stereoselective formation of Z-allylsilanes. The transformation is considered to proceed by silyl-directed intramolecular C-H functionalization to form a β-lactone intermediate followed by a silyl-activated extrusion of carbon dioxide.