Synthesis and structure of a silanetriol via hydroxodearylation involving C–Si bond cleavage

The reaction of tris-iso-propylphenyl-tert-butyl-difluorosilane with KOH using ultra sonication leads to the selective formation of tert-butylsilanetriol, 3. The hydroxodearylation reaction involves C–Si bond cleavage and its mechanism is discussed on the basis of the steric situation of the starting material, which also explains the selectivity of the reaction. The crystal structure of a new polymorph of 3 features a sheet-like hydrogen bonded network.