Silicon Catalyzed C−O Bond Ring Closing Metathesis of Polyethers

The Lewis superacid bis(perchlorocatecholato)silane catalyzes C−O bond metathesis of alkyl ethers with an efficiency outperforming all earlier reported systems. Chemoselective ring contractions of macrocyclic crown ethers enable substrate‐specific transformations, and an unprecedented ring‐closing metathesis of polyethylene glycols allows polymer‐selective degradation. Quantum chemical computations scrutinize a high Lewis acidity paired with a simultaneous low propensity for polydentate substrate binding as critical for successful catalysis. Based on these mechanistic insights, a second‐generation class of silicon Lewis superacid with enhanced efficacy is identified and demonstrated.