3-Amido-benzo[b]silines: Straightforward Modular 2-Step Synthesis and Photophysical Properties

In this manuscript we report the synthesis of 3-amido-benzo[b]silines thanks to a 2-step strategy involving a 3-component silylformylation of ynamides followed by a Friedel-Crafts cyclization/isomerizing dehydration domino sequence. This reaction is tolerant to various structural variations and has allowed us to synthesize a library of diversely substituted silacycles with yields from 33 to 85%. We also studied the fluorescence properties of these compounds which show structural similarities with recognized probes such as Si-Rhodamine for example.