Lewis acid-promoted carbonyl addition of 1,3-bis(silyl)propenes

A novel synthetic protocol for Lewis acid-promoted addition of 1,3-bis(silyl)propenes to N-phenyl glyoxylamide and ethyl glyoxylate is developed. The reaction does not appear to be influenced by the steric bulk of the 1,3-bis(silyl)propenes, and represents a new approach to vinylation of glyoxylates; the products are obtained in good yields.