Addition of a silyl ketene acetal to α,β-unsaturated cyclic anhydrides

Abstract

Addition of [1-methoxy-2 methyl-1-propenyl)-oxy] trimethylsilane (MTS) to unsymmetrical α,β-unsaturated cyclic anhydrides (namely, itaconic anhydride and citraconic anhydride) as well as symmetrical anhydrides (namely, maleic anhydride and 2,3-dimethylmaleic anhydride) was investigated. Itaconic anhydride isomerizes to citraconic anhydride in the presence of MTS. In the presence of Lewis acid catalysts (Yb(OTf)₃/CH₂Cl₂), MTS adds to itaconic anhydride at room temperature in a 1,4-fashion. 1,2-Addition is the preferred pathway with both 2,3-dimethyl maleic anhydride and citraconic anhydride.