Two types of intramolecular homolytic substitution reactions at group XIV atoms:: unusual radical 1,4-Sn shifts from Si to C and carbonylative SHi reaction at Si
4-[(Trimethylstannyl) diphenylsilyl] butanoyl radical, arising from the corresponding 3-(stannylsilyl) propyl radical and CO, undergoes an S(H)i reaction at Si with extrusion of trimethyltin radical to give silacyclopentanone. The parent 3-( stannylsilyl) propyl radical was also found to isomerize to (3-stannylpropyl) silyl radical via a 1,4-Sn shift from Si to C with a rate constant of 9.3 x 10(4) s(-1) at 80 degreesC. Ab initio and DFT MO calculations support a front-side attack mechanism.