First synthesis of 1,4-bis(acylsilanes)

1,4-Bis(acylsilanes) were prepared by substitution of 1,2-bis(triflates) with 2-lithio-2-trimethylsilyl-1,3-dithiane or by silylation of 1,2-bis([1,3]dithian-2-yl)ethane and dethioketalization with methyl iodide or mercuric salts. The reaction with 1,2-dihalogenated alkanes gave dehydrodimers of 2-trialkylsilyl-1,3-dithianes. The cyclodehydration of the 1,4-bis(trialkylsilyl)-1,4-butanediones gave 2,5-bis(trialkylsilyl) furanes.