Recent advances in silanecarboxylic acids as versatile reagents for modern organic synthesis

Silanecarboxylic acids have evolved from stable chemical curiosities into versatile and practical reagents, a transformation detailed in this review. Initially valued as bench-stable, crystalline carbon monoxide (CO) surrogates, they have enabled safe and controllable CO release for a wide array of transition-metal-catalysed carbonylation reactions. More recently, their role as readily decarboxylative silyl radical precursors under mild photoredox conditions has been unlocked, sparking a paradigm shift in silyl radical chemistry. This review comprehensively summarizes these dual reactivities, covering their applications not only in carbonylations and decarboxylative hydrosilylation, allylation, and C-H silylation but also in emerging transformations such as halogen-atom transfer (XAT) and deaminative processes. By examining key mechanistic insights and representative synthetic applications, we illustrate how these compounds are expanding the synthetic toolbox and addressing long-standing challenges. Finally, we provide a critical outlook on future opportunities and remaining limitations in this rapidly advancing field.