# Wavelength-dependent rearrangements of an α-dione chromophore: a chemical pearl in a bis(hypersilyl) oyster

## TL;DR

A symmetric bissilyl-dione compound shows different chemical reactions depending on the wavelength of light it is exposed to, due to its unique electronic and steric properties.

## Contribution

The paper introduces a novel wavelength-dependent photochemical behavior of a bissilyl-dione compound and its unique reaction pathways.

## Key findings

- Excitation at 360/365 nm produces siloxyketene 4 in high yields.
- Irradiation at 590/630 nm leads to the selective formation of siloxyrane 5.
- The distinct reactions are due to different excited states and energy differences influenced by the bissilyl substitution.

## Abstract

The symmetric bissilyl-dione 3 reveals two well-separated n → π* absorption bands at λmax = 637 nm (ε = 140 mol−1 dm3 cm−1) and 317 nm (ε = 2460 mol−1 dm3 cm−1). Whereas excitation of 3 at λ = 360/365 nm affords an isolable siloxyketene 4 in excellent yields, irradiation at λ = 590/630 nm leads to the stereo-selective and quantitative formation of the siloxyrane 5. These remarkable wavelength-dependent rearrangements are based on the electronic and steric properties provided by the hypersilyl groups. While the siloxyketene 4 is formed via a hitherto unknown 1,3-hypersilyl migration via the population of a second excited singlet state (S2, λmax = 317 nm, a rare case of anti-Kasha reactivity), the siloxyrane 5 emerges from the first excited triplet state (T1via S1λmax = 637 nm). These distinct reaction pathways can be traced back to specific energy differences between the S2, S1 and T1, an electronic consequence of the bissilyl substited α-dione (the “pearl”). The hypersilyl groups act as protective ‘‘oyster shell”, which are responsible for the clean formation of 4 and 5 basically omitting side products. We describe novel synthetic pathways to achieve hypersilyl substitution (3) and report an in-depth investigation of the photorearrangements of 3 using UV/vis, in situ IR, NMR spectroscopy and theoretical calculations.

Herein the authors report on the synthesis and photochemistry of a symmetric bissilyl-dione. This compound reveals a wavelength dependent and moreover highly selective photochemistry, which is based on the bissilyl substitution of the dione.