Reductive silylation of gem-difluorinated phosphonium salts

Abstract gem -Difluorinated phosphonium salts, generated from aldehydes and difluorinated phosphobetaine reagent, were converted into corresponding silicon reagents. The reductive silylation of carbon-phosphorus bond is carried out using a combination of magnesium and chlorotrimethylsilane in dimethylformamide. For a model difluoroined phosphonium salt, X-ray structure and reduction potential are provided.