Conversion of 1,3-oxathiolanes to 1,4-oxathianes using a silylated diazoester

Treatment of substituted 1,3-oxathiolanes with ethyl (triethylsilyl)diazoacetate in the presence of a copper catalyst effects one-carbon ring expansion to the corresponding 3-triethylsilyl-1,4-oxathiane-3-carboxylates. Subsequent desilylation can be brought about by treatment with tetrabutylammonium fluoride.