Nickel-Mediated Enantiospecific Silylation via Benzylic C-OMe Bond Cleavage.

Benzylic stereocenters are found in bioactive and drug molecules, as enantiopure benzylic alcohols have been used to build such a stereogenic center, but are limited to the construction of a C-C bond. Silylation of alkyl alcohols has the potential to build bioactive molecules and building blocks; however, the development of such a process is challenging and unknown. Herein, we describe an unprecedented AgF-assisted nickel catalysis in the enantiospecific silylation of benzylic ethers.