Yttrium-Catalyzed Regioselective α-C-H Silylation of Methyl Sulfides with Hydrosilanes

The catalytic C-H silylation of sulfides with hydrosilanes is of much interest and importance but has remained unexplored to date. We report here the C-H silylation of methyl sulfides with hydrosilanes by an yttrium metallocene catalyst. The reaction took place regioselectively at the alpha-methyl C-H bond, affording the corresponding silylated sulfide derivatives that are difficult to make by other means.