A versatile iodo(III)etherification of terminal ethynylsilanes using BF3-OiPr2 and alkyl benzyl ethers.

A series of (E)-α-silyl-β-alkoxyvinyl-λ3-iodanes was synthesized from iodosylbenzene, BF3-ether complexes, and terminal ethynylsilanes. The combined use of BF3-OiPr2 and benzyl ethers of primary alcohols (ROBn) allows the chemoselective transfer of primary alkoxy groups (RO) onto the β-position of the terminal ethynylsilanes.