Simple, low-cost synthetic route to potentially polymerizable silatranes

Silatrane glycol, 2, can be synthesized in kilogram quantities in one step from silica. Compound 2 is unusual for a silicon alkoxy compound as it is water soluble and water stable. Silatrane glycol 2 can be reacted with acetic anhydride to produce 1-acetoxysilatrane, 4. Compound 4 undergoes facile ligand exchange allowing the synthesis of a number of reactive compounds including: 1-methacryloxysilatrane 5, 1-allyloxysilatrane 6 and 2-[(propen-2- yloxy)ethanoxy]silatrane 7 all of which are potentially useful for producing silatrane-containing polymers.