Enantioselective Synthesis of Silacyclopentanes.

A variety of functionalized silacyclopentanes were synthesized by highly enantioselective β-eliminations of silacyclopentene oxides followed by stereospecific transformations. The reaction mechanism of the β-elimination was elucidated by DFT calculations. An in vitro biological assay with an oxy-functionalized silacyclopentane showed substantial binding to a serotonin receptor protein.