Bis(2-thienyl)silanes: new, versatile precursors to arylsilanediols

Silanediols have been shown to be effective bioisosteres for the hydrated carbonyl group. Current methods for the formation of silanediols place a number of constraints on how and where this functionality may be used. A range of arylsilanes that would allow both the formation of arylsilanediols and that are also compatible with multi-step synthetic routes, have been investigated as possible precursors to silanediols. Through this study bis(2-furyl)silanes and, in particular, bis(2-thienyl)silanes have been identified as practical precursors to arylsilanediols.