Addition of N-Heterocyclic Carbene Catalyst to Aryl Esters Induces Remote C-Si Bond Activation and Benzylic Carbon Functionalization.

Through the incorporation of a silicon atom to an aryl carboxylic ester substrate, the resulting C-Si bond can be activated via the addition of a carbene catalyst on a remote site. This strategy allows for efficient functionalization of the benzylic sp3-carbons of aryl carboxylic esters.