Et3SiH + KOtBu provide multiple reactive intermediates that compete in the reactions and rearrangements of benzylnitriles and indolenines

摘要: The combination of potassium tert-butoxide and triethylsilane is unusual because it generates multiple different types reactive intermediates simultaneously that provide access to (i) silyl radical reactions, (ii) hydrogen atom transfer reactions closed shell molecules radicals, (iii) electron reductions (iv) hydride ion chemistry, giving scope for unprecedented outcomes. Until now, with this reagent pair have generally been explained by reference one the intermediates, but we now highlight interplay competition between them.