PATENT ABSTRACT
The present invention is related to cis-diols and biological methods of producing cis-diols. The present invention further relates to processes for subsequently converting such silane cis-diols to the more stable acetonide derivatives, as well as a process for converting silane cis-diols to the corresponding catechols and the compounds produced thereby. The present invention also provides chemical methods for the conversion of said silane cis-diols and acetonide compounds to epoxy, saturated and otherwise modified derivatives. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that is will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

PATENT DESCRIPTION
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     The present application is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/433,468 filed Jun. 3, 2003 which claimed priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/385,373 filed Jun. 3, 2002 and to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/435,187 filed Dec. 18, 2002. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to dioxygenation of aryl silanes and, more particularly, to processes for converting aryl silanes to a new class of chiral cis-diols by contact with a chemical or biological catalyst such as dioxygenase-producing bacteria in the presence of molecular oxygen (O 2 ) and the chiral cis-diols produced thereby. The present invention further relates to a process for subsequently converting such silane cis-diols to the more stable acetonide derivatives, as well as a process for converting silane cis-diols to the corresponding catechols by treatment with diol dehydrogenase enzyme and the compounds produced thereby. The present invention also provides chemical methods for the conversion of said silane cis-diols and acetonide compounds to epoxy, saturated and otherwise modified derivatives. The chiral intermediates produced by the process of the instant invention represent a novel class of compounds having potential value in the synthesis of fine chemicals, including pharmaceuticals. It is also contemplated that the chiral silicon materials of the present invention may find application in enantioselective separations and optical applications.  
         [0003]     The enzymatic dioxygenation of substituted aromatics to cis-diols is known in the art as a means for synthesizing certain chiral molecules from achiral precursors. Several enzymes are known to affect this transformation, including toluene dioxygenase (EC 1.14.12.11), naphthalene dioxygenase (EC 1.14.12.12), and other aromatic oxygenases, which act on or catalyze a wide range of substrates. The following diagram illustrates this catalytic reaction:  
                         
 
         [0004]     Although the biotransformation of non silicon-containing substituted aromatics to cis-diols by enzymatic dioxygenation is known (e.g., Hudlicky T. et al., (1999) Enzymatic dihydroxylation of aromatics in enantioselective synthesis: expanding asymmetric methodology,  Aldrichimica Acta,  Vol. 32, No. 2, pp. 35-62), there is a need for processes that convert aryl silanes to chiral cis-diols or catechols and for such chiral cis-diols or catechols.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a method for converting an aryl silane to a corresponding cis-diol is provided. The method comprises providing an aryl silane substrate, wherein the aryl silane has at least one aromatic component and at least one silicon atom, and contacting a dioxygenase enzyme with the aryl silane substrate such that said aryl silane substrate is converted to a corresponding cis-diol. The method may further comprise reacting the cis-diol with 2,2-dimethoxypropane to convert the cis-diol to an acetonide derivative. The method may further comprises contacting a diol dehydrogenase enzyme with the cis-diol to convert the cis-diol to a corresponding catechol.  
         [0006]     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a compound comprising a cis-diol is provided. The cis-diol has the formula:  
                         
 
 wherein: R 1 , R 2 , and R 3  are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, an aryl, a linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl, OR, SR, NR 2-3 , or O(CO)R; and R is hydrogen, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, or SiR 1 R 2 R 3 . 
 
         [0007]     In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a compound comprising a cis-diol is provided. The compound has the formula:  
                         
 
 wherein: R 1 , R 2 , and R 3  are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR 2-3 , or O(CO)R; R 4  is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl, halomethyl, CF 3 , CN, NO 2 , SR, OR, NR 2-3 , O(CO)R, SiR 1 R 2 R 3 , or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties; n is 0-3; R is hydrogen, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, or SiR 1 R 2 R 3 ; and X is a divalent linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, or C 2 -C 18  alkynyl spacer, except when X═C 2  alkynyl and R 1 ═R 2 ═R 3  then R 1 ═R 2 ═R 3  cannot be —CH 3 . 
 
         [0008]     In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, a compound comprising a silane cis-diol is provided. The compound has the formula:  
                         
 
 wherein: R 1 , R 2 , and R 3  are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR 2-3 , or O(CO)R; R 4  is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl, halomethyl, CF 3 , CN, NO 2 , SR, OR, NR 2-3 , O(CO)R, SiR 1 R 2 R 3 , or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties; n is 0-5; and R is hydrogen, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, or SiR 1 R 2 R 3 . 
 
         [0009]     In accordance with the present invention, a compound comprising a silane cis-diol is provided. The compound has the formula:  
                         
 
 wherein: R 1 , R 2 , and R 3  are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR 2-3 , or O(CO)R; R 4  is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl, halomethyl, CF 3 , CN, NO 2 , SR, OR, NR 2-3 , O(CO)R, SiR 1 R 2 R 3 , or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties; n is 0-5; and R is hydrogen, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, or SiR 1 R 2 R 3 . 
 
         [0010]     In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, a compound comprising a silane cis-diol is provided. The compound has the formula:  
                         
 
         [0011]     wherein: R 1 , R 2 , and R 3  are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR 2-3 , or O(CO)R; R 4  is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl, halomethyl, CF 3 , CN, NO 2 , SR, OR, NR 2-3 , O(CO)R, SiR 1 R 2 R 3 , or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties; n is −0-3; R is hydrogen, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, or SiR 1 R 2 R 3 ; and X is a divalent linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, C 2 -C 18  alkynyl spacer, S, O or NR 1-2 .  
         [0012]     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a compound comprising an acetonide is provided. The compound has the formula:  
                         
 
 wherein: R 1 , R 2 , and R 3  are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, an aryl, a linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl, OR, SR, NR 2-3 , or O(CO)R, except when R 1 ═R 2 ═R 3  then R 1 ═R 2 ═R 3  cannot be —CH 3 ; and R is hydrogen, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, or SiR 1 R 2 R 3 . 
 
         [0013]     In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a compound comprising an acetonide is provided. The compound has the formula:  
                         
 
 wherein: R 1 , R 2 , and R 3  are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR 2-3 , or O(CO)R; R 4  is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl, halomethyl, CF 3 , CN, NO 2 , SR, OR, NR 2-3 , O(CO)R, SiR 1 R 2 R 3 , or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties; n is 0-3; R is hydrogen, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, or SiR 1 R 2 R 3 ; and X is a divalent linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, or C 2 -C 18  alkynyl spacer, except when X═C 2  alkynyl and R 1 ═R 2 ═R 3  then R 1 ═R 2 ═R 3  cannot be —CH 3 . 
 
         [0014]     In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, a compound comprising an acetonide is provided. The compound has the formula:  
                         
 
 wherein: R 1 , R 2 , and R 3  are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR 2-3 , or O(CO)R; R 4  is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl, halomethyl, CF 3 , CN, NO 2 , SR, OR, NR 2-3 , O(CO)R, SiR 1 R 2 R 3 , or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties; n is 0-5; and R is hydrogen, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, or SiR 1 R 2 R 3 . 
 
         [0015]     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a compound comprising an acetonide is provided. The compound has the formula:  
                         
 
 wherein: R 1 , R 2 , and R 3  are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR 2-3 , or O(CO)R; R 4  is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl, halomethyl, CF 3 , CN, NO 2 , SR, OR, NR 2-3 , O(CO)R, SiR 1 R 2 R 3 , or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties; n is 0-5; and R is hydrogen, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, or SiR 1 R 2 R 3 . 
 
         [0016]     In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a compound comprising an acetonide is provided. The compound has the formula:  
                         
 
         [0017]     wherein: R 1 , R 2 , and R 3  are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR 2-3 , or O(CO)R; R 4  is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl, halomethyl, CF 3 , CN, NO 2 , SR, OR, NR 2-3 , O(CO)R, SiR 1 R 2 R 3 , or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties; n is 0-3; R is hydrogen, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, or SiR 1 R 2 R 3 ; and X is a divalent linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, C 2 -C 18  alkynyl spacer, S, O or NR 1-2 .  
         [0018]     In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, a compound comprising a catechol is provided. The compound has the formula:  
                         
 
 wherein: R 1 , R 2 , and R 3  are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, an aryl, a linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl, OR, SR, NR 2-3 , or O(CO)R; and R is hydrogen, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, or SiR 1 R 2 R 3 . 
 
         [0019]     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a compound comprising a catechol is provided. The compound has the formula:  
                         
 
         [0020]     wherein: R 1 , R 2 , and R 3  are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR 2-3 , or O(CO)R; R 4  is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl, halomethyl, CF 3 , CN, NO 2 , SR, OR, NR 2-3 , O(CO)R, SiR 1 R 2 R 3 , or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties; n is 0-3; R is hydrogen, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, or SiR 1 R 2 R 3 ; and X is a divalent linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, or C 2 -C 18  alkynyl spacer.  
         [0021]     In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, a compound comprising a catechol is provided. The compound has the formula:  
                         
 
 wherein: R 1 , R 2 , and R 3  are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR 2-3 , or O(CO)R; R 4  is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl, halomethyl, CF 3 , CN, NO 2 , SR, OR, NR 2-3 , O(CO)R, SiR 1 R 2 R 3 , or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties; n is 0-5; and R is hydrogen, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, or SiR 1 R 2 R 3 . 
 
         [0022]     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a compound comprising a catechol is provided. The compound has the formula:  
                         
 
         [0023]     wherein: R 1 , R 2 , and R 3  are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR 2-3 , or O(CO)R; R 4  is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl, halomethyl, CF 3 , CN, NO 2 , SR, OR, NR 2-3 , O(CO)R, SiR 1 R 2 R 3 , or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties; n is −0-5; and R is hydrogen, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, or SiR 1 R 2 R 3 .  
         [0024]     In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a compound comprising a catechol is provided. The compound has the formula:  
                         
 
 wherein: R 1 , R 2 , and R 3  are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR 2-3 , or O(CO)R; R 4  is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl, halomethyl, CF 3 , CN, NO 2 , SR, OR, NR 2-3 , O(CO)R, SiR 1 R 2 R 3 , or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties; n is 0-5; R is hydrogen, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, or SiR 1 R 2 R 3 ; and X is a divalent linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, C 2 -C 18  alkynyl spacer, S, O or NR 1-2 . 
 
         [0025]     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a compound is provided. The compound comprises:  
                         
 
 wherein: R 1 , R 2 , and R 3  are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR 2-3 , or O(CO)R; R 4  is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl, halomethyl, CF 3 , CN, NO 2 , SR, OR, NR 2-3 , O(CO)R, SiR 1 R 2 R 3 , or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties; n is 0-3; R is hydrogen, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, or SiR 1 R 2 R 3 ; and X is nothing, a divalent linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, and C 2 -C 18  alkynyl spacer, except that when X=nothing then R 1 ,R 2 , and R 3  cannot be R 1 ═R 2 ═CH 3  and R 3 ═H or R 1 ═R 2 ═R 3 ═CH 3 . 
 
         [0026]     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a di-O-acyl is provided. The compound has the formula:  
                         
 
 wherein: R 1 , R 2 , and R 3  are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR 2-3 , or O(CO)R; R 4  is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl, halomethyl, CF 3 , CN, NO 2 , SR, OR, NR 2-3 , O(CO)R, SiR 1 R 2 R 3 , or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties; n is 0-3; R 5  is linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, halomethyl, linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, or linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl; R is hydrogen, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, or SiR 1 R 2 R 3 ; and X is nothing, a divalent linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, and C 2 -C 18  alkynyl spacer. 
 
         [0027]     In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, a silyl ether is provided. The compound has the formula:  
                         
 
 wherein: R 1 , R 2 , and R 3  are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR 2-3 , or O(CO)R; R 4  is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl, halomethyl, CF 3 , CN, NO 2 , SR, OR, NR 2-3 , O(CO)R, SiR 1 R 2 R 3 , or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties; n is 0-3; R is hydrogen, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, or SiR 1 R 2 R 3 ; and X is nothing, a divalent linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, or C 2 -C 18  alkynyl spacer. 
 
         [0028]     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a boronate ester is provided. The compound has the formula:  
                         
 
 wherein: R 1 , R 2 , and R 3  are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR 2-3 , or O(CO)R; R 4  is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl, halomethyl, CF 3 , CN, NO 2 , SR, OR, NR 2-3 , O(CO)R, SiR 1 R 2 R 3 , or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties; n is 0-3; R 5  is aryl, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, or linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl; R is hydrogen, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, or SiR 1 R 2 R 3 ; and X is nothing, a divalent linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, and C 2 -C 18  alkynyl spacer. 
 
         [0029]     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an epoxy is provided. The compound has the formula:  
                         
 
 wherein: R 1 , R 2 , and R 3  are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR 2-3 , or O(CO)R; R 4  is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl, halomethyl, CF 3 , CN, NO 2 , SR, OR, NR 2-3 , O(CO)R, SiR 1 R 2 R 3 , or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties; n is 0-3; R is hydrogen, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, or SiR 1 R 2 R 3 ; and X is nothing, a divalent linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, and C 2 -C 18  alkynyl spacer. 
 
         [0030]     In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, an epoxy is provided. The compound has the formula:  
                         
 
 wherein: R 1 , R 2 , and R 3  are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR 2-3 , or O(CO)R; R 4  is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl, halomethyl, CF 3 , CN, NO 2 , SR, OR, NR 2-3 , O(CO)R, SiR 1 R 2 R 3 , or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties; n is 0-3; R is hydrogen, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, or SiR 1 R 2 R 3 ; and X is nothing, a divalent linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, and C 2 -C 18  alkynyl spacer, except when X=nothing then R 1 , R 2 , and R 3  cannot be R 1 ═R 2 ═R 3 ═CH 3 . 
 
         [0031]     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a partially or fully saturated compound is provided. The compound has the formula:  
                         
 
         [0032]     wherein: R 1 , R 2 , and R 3  are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR 2-3 , or O(CO)R; R 4  is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl, halomethyl, CF 3 , CN, NO 2 , SR, OR, NR 2-3 , O(CO)R, SiR 1 R 2 R 3 , or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties; n is 0-3; R is hydrogen, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, or SiR 1 R 2 R 3 ; and X is nothing, a divalent linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, and C 2 -C 18  alkynyl spacer.  
         [0033]     In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a partially or fully saturated compound is provided. The compound has the formula:  
                         
 
         [0034]     wherein: R 1 , R 2 , and R 3  are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR 2-3 , or O(CO)R; R 4  is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl, halomethyl, CF 3 , CN, NO 2 , SR, OR, NR 2-3 , O(CO)R, SiR 1 R 2 R 3 , or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties; n is 0-3; R is hydrogen, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, or SiR 1 R 2 R 3 ; and X is nothing, a divalent linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, and C 2 -C 18  alkynyl spacer.  
         [0035]     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a silanol is provided. The compound has the formula:  
                         
 
         [0036]     wherein: R 1  and R 2  are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR 2-3 , or O(CO)R; R 4  is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl, halomethyl, CF 3 , CN, NO 2 , SR, OR, NR 2-3 , O(CO)R, SiR 1 R 2 R 3 , or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties; n is 0-3; R is hydrogen, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, or SiR 1 R 2 R 3 ; and X is nothing, a divalent linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, and C 2 -C 18  alkynyl spacer.  
         [0037]     In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a silanol is provided. The compound has the formula:  
                         
 
 wherein: R 1  and R 2  are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR 2-3 , or O(CO)R; R 4  is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl, halomethyl, CF 3 , CN, NO 2 , SR, OR, NR 2-3 , O(CO)R, SiR 1 R 2 R 3 , or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties; n is 0-3; R is hydrogen, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, or SiR 1 R 2 R 3 ; and X is nothing, a divalent linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, and C 2 -C 18  alkynyl spacer. 
 
         [0038]     In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, an alkoxy compound is provided. The compound comprises:  
                         
 
 wherein: R 1  and R 2  are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR 2-3 , or O(CO)R; R 4  is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl, halomethyl, CF 3 , CN, NO 2 , SR, OR, NR 2-3 , O(CO)R, SiR 1 R 2 R 3  , or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties; R 5  is an aryl, a linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl; n is 0-3; R is hydrogen, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, or SiR 1 R 2 R 3 ; and X is nothing, a divalent linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, and C 2 -C 18  alkynyl spacer. 
 
         [0039]     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an alkoxy compound is provided. The compound comprises:  
                         
 
 wherein: R 1  and R 2  are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR 2-3 , or O(CO)R; R 4  is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl, halomethyl, CF 3 , CN, NO 2 , SR, OR, NR 2-3 , O(CO)R, SiR 1 R 2 R 3 , or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties; R 5  is an aryl, a linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl; n is 0-3; R is hydrogen, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, or SiR 1 R 2 R 3 ; and X is nothing, a divalent linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, and C 2 -C 18  alkynyl spacer. 
 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0040]     For purposes of defining and describing embodiments of the present invention, the following terms will be understood as being accorded the definitions presented hereinafter.  
         [0041]     As used herein, the term “independently” or the equivalents thereof is employed to described an instance were two or more groups may be the same or different from each other and the occurrence of one group does not impact or influence the occurrence of the other group.  
         [0042]     The term “alkyl” refers to a monovalent alkane (hydrocarbon) derived radical containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms unless otherwise defined. It may be straight or branched. Suitable straight or branched alkyl groups include methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, 3-butyl, and t-butyl. Alkyl also includes a straight or branched alkyl group that contains or is interrupted by a cycloalkane portion.  
         [0043]     The term “alkenyl” refers to a hydrocarbon radical straight or branched containing from 2 to 18 carbon atoms and at least one carbon to carbon double bond. Preferably one carbon to carbon double bond is present, and up to four non-aromatic (non-resonating) carbon-carbon double bonds may be present. Suitable alkenyl groups include ethenyl, propenyl, and butenyl.  
         [0044]     The term “alkynyl” refers to a hydrocarbon radical straight or branched containing from 2 to 18 carbon atoms and at least one carbon to carbon triple bond. Up to three carbon-carbon triple bonds may be present. Suitable alkynyl groups include ethynyl, propynyl, and butynyl.  
         [0045]     The term “alkoxy” refers to an alkyl group of indicated carbon atoms attached through an oxygen linkage.  
         [0046]     The term “halogen” refers to fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine.  
         [0047]     The term “halomethyl” refers to a carbon with one or more halogen substituent.  
         [0048]     The term “aryl” refers to a substituted aromatic hydrocarbon ring. Suitable aryl groups include single-ring, fused, and biphenyl aromatics.  
         [0049]     The term “bridging group” refers to a moiety joining an aromatic and a silicon-containing functionality.  
         [0050]     The term “arene” refers to an aromatic compound  
         [0051]     The term “spacer” refers to a group between an aromatic and a silicon-containing functionality.  
         [0052]     The term ‘OD’ or optical density refers to the optical absorbance of a culture measured at 600 nm.  
         [0053]     The term ‘TLC’ refers to thin layer chromatography.  
         [0054]     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, processes that are effective in converting aryl silane substrates to silane cis-diols are provided, and silane cis-diol compositions are provided. Such processes include contacting a substrate, e.g., a compound of Formulae I-I″″ as defined below, with a catalyst such as a dioxygenase enzyme, and obtaining the desired cis-diol. The cis-diol may be obtained by recovering the resulting compound of Formulae II-II″″ as defined below. The process may further include isolating and purifying the resulting compound. It is further contemplated that the resulting compound could be used as an intermediate substrate useful in the preparation of other derivatives or end-products.  
         [0055]     The present invention provides a method for a biological production of cis-diols from a fermentable silicon substrate by a microorganism grown with a suitable carbon source. Examples of suitable carbon sources include, but are not limited to, glucose, fructose, sucrose or glycerol and mixtures thereof. The method comprises providing a dioxygenase enzyme, contacting the dioxygenase enzyme with an aryl silane substrate, and obtaining a cis-diol from the growth media. The dioxygenase enzyme may be provided in any suitable manner. For example, the enzyme may be present in whole cells or cell-free. The term “whole cells” refers to a intact microorganism that expressed the desired enzymatic catalyst. The microorganism can be a wild type microorganism that is known to express or produce the desired enzymatic catalyst, e.g.,  P. putida.  The term cell free refers to an extract or solution of the desired enzyme catalyst. The enzyme may be provided in a wild-type microorganism or it may be provided in a genetically altered organism harboring a gene encoding a dioxygenase enzyme. In addition to an appropriate aryl silane substrate, the fermentation media generally contains suitable carbon sources (hexoses such as glucose, pentoses such as fructose, etc.), minerals, salts, cofactors, buffers and other components, known to those skilled in the art, suitable for the growth of the cultures and promotion of the enzymatic pathway necessary for cis-diol production.  
         [0056]     Generally, cells are grown at appropriate temperatures and in appropriate media. Suitable growth media in the present invention are minimal mineral salts media to facilitate the subsequent extraction of the products. Suitable pH ranges for the fermentation are between pH 5.0 to pH 9.0 where pH 6.8 to pH 8.0 is preferred as the initial condition.  
         [0057]     In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, aryl silanes are dioxygenated to their corresponding cis-diols. A corresponding cis-diol refers to the conversion of an aryl silane substrate by the attachment of two hydroxyl groups to adjacent carbons in a cis configuration with respect to one another by the catalytic action of a dioxygenase upon the substrate. The conversion of aryl silanes to the corresponding cis-dol derivatives results in the loss of aromaticity of the ring that underwent dioxygenation. For purposes of defining and describing the present invention, “aryl silane” shall be understood as referring to a compound containing at least one aromatic ring and at least one silicon atom. In one aspect the aromatic components include substituted single ring, fused or biphenyl aromatics. Exemplary aromatic components include, but are not limited to, phenyl, naphthyl or biphenyl derivatives having a silicon-containing group. Other exemplary aromatics include, but are not limited to, those containing additional fused heterocyclic or carbocyclic rings, e.g, silicon substituted indoles and/or indenes. The silicon atom can be contained in a silicon containing substituent, e.g. the silicon atom is either directly attached to the aromatic ring or attached through a spacer element. Such aryl silanes are available through well known synthetic methods (e.g., Murata, M. et al. (2002) Rhodium(I)-Catalyzed Silylation of Aryl Halides with Triethoxysilane: Practical Synthetic Route to Aryltriethoxysilanes.  Org. Letters,  Vol. 4, No.11, pp 1843-1845). Further contemplated by the present invention is the subsequent conversion of silane cis-diols to the corresponding catechols. A corresponding catechol refers to the conversion of a cis-diol substrate by the dehydrogenation of the substrate by the catalytic action of a diol dehydrogenase upon the substrate wherein the aromaticity is restored and results in the formation of a catechol derivative. A summation of these catalytic reactions is illustrated below:  
                         
 
         [0058]     The chemistry of silicon renders the intermediate silane cis-diols of the instant invention unique relative to the substituents described by the prior art, which comprise carbon, halogen, or heteroatom functionalities. For example, the scientific literature records many examples of reactions that are particular to silicon and not the corresponding carbon analogs. These reactions include hydrosilylation of alkenes and ketones, the addition of electrophiles to vinyl and allyl silanes, and palladium catalyzed cross-coupling of vinyl silanes with aryl halides (Brook, M. A., Silicon in Organic, Organometallic and Polymer Chemistry (2000), Wiley). The silane cis-diols may be used: as chiral intermediates, for synthesizing polymers, as chiral separators, to form optically active materials, to act as carbohydrate analogs, and as intermediates in natural products synthesis.  
         [0059]     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a process is provided for conversion of a compound of the Formula (I):  
                         
 
 into a compound of the Formula (II):  
                         
 
 using a dioxygenase enzyme; 
 
         [0060]     wherein: 
        R 1 , R 2 , and R 3  are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, an aryl, a linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR 2-3 , or O(CO)R; and     R is hydrogen, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, or SiR 1 R 2 R 3 .        
 
         [0063]     The present invention is not limited, however, to these particular substituents. It is therefore contemplated that the compounds of Formulas (I) and (II) can include any substituent containing at least one silicon atom and the silicon atom need not be directly bonded to the aromatic ring, which itself may be multiply substituted with a range of functionality, including additional silicon-containing groups. For example, the silicon may be included as part of a chain of between 1 and 18 carbons, including branched and unsaturated carbon chains with both double and triple bonding attached to an arene moiety substituted with a halogen or other group. Furthermore, the introduced hydroxyl groups need not be directly adjacent to the group containing silicon. For example, such hydroxyl groups could one or more carbons removed from the group containing silicon. The prior art records instances where the introduction of additional functionality such as an iodo (I) group to a monosubstituted arene alters the regioselectivity of dihydroxylation with respect to the initial functionality (see, for example, EP 717729B1 or U.S. Pat. No. 5,763,689, both to Boyd et al.).  
         [0064]     In one aspect of the present invention, R 1 , R 2 , and R 3  are each independently selected from hydrogen, a linear or branched C 1 -C 5  alkyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 5  alkenyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 5  alkynyl, halomethyl, or OR; and R is hydrogen, methyl, or ethyl. In another aspect of the present invention, R 1 , R 2 , and R 3  are each independently selected from hydrogen, methyl, chloromethyl, or vinyl.  
         [0065]     Examples of suitable aryl silane substrates and the corresponding cis-diols are shown below in Scheme 1.  
                                                   SCHEME 1                           Conversion of aryl silanes to cis-diol products                Aryl silane substrate       cis-diol product                                            1a                                 2a                                             1b                                 2b                                             1c                                 2c                                             1d                                 2d                                             1e                                 2e                                             1f                                 2f                                                
 
         [0066]     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a process is provided for conversion of a compound of the Formula (I′):  
                         
 
 into a compound of the Formula (II′):  
                         
 
 using a dioxygenase enzyme; 
 
         [0067]     wherein: 
        R 1 , R 2 , and R 3  are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR 2-3 , or O(CO)R;     R 4  is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl, halomethyl, CF 3 , CN, NO 2 , SR, OR, NR 2-3 , O(CO)R, SiR 1 R 2 R 3 , or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties;     n is 0-3;     R is hydrogen, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, or SiR 1 R 2 R 3 ;     X is a divalent linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, or C 2 -C 18  alkynyl spacer. 
 
 However, when X═C 2  alkynyl and R 1 ═R 2 ═R 3  then R 1 ═R 2 ═R 3  cannot be —CH 3 . 
       
 
         [0073]     This aspect of the present invention is also intended to apply where compounds of formulas (I′) and (II′) occur in the context of a polymer linked through one of more of the functionalities R and R 1 -R 4 . For example, the arene units of a diblock copolymer consisting of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and polyphenylmethylsiloxane (PPMS) could be wholly or partially converted to the corresponding cis-diols.  
         [0074]     In one embodiment, R 1 , R 2 , and R 3  are each independently selected from hydrogen, a linear or branched C 1 -C 5  alkyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 5  alkenyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 5  alkynyl, halomethyl, or OR; R 4  is selected from hydrogen, halogen, a linear or branched C 1 -C 5  alkyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 5  alkenyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 5  alkynyl, CN, NO 2 , OR or SiR 1 R 2 R 3 ; R is hydrogen, methyl, or ethyl; and X is either a divalent linear or branched C 1 -C 5  alkyl, C 2 -C 5  alkenyl, or C 2 -C 5  alkynyl spacer. In yet another embodiment, R 1 , R 2 , and R 3  are each independently selected from hydrogen, methyl, chloromethyl, or vinyl and R 4  is selected from hydrogen, halogen, a linear or branched C 1 -C 3  alkyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 3  alkenyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 3  alkynyl, CN, NO 2 , OR or SiR 1 R 2 R 3 .  
         [0075]     In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, a process is provided for conversion of a compound of the Formula (I″):  
                         
 
 into a compound of the Formula (II″):  
                         
 
 using a dioxygenase enzyme; 
 
         [0076]     wherein: 
        R 1 , R 2 , and R 3  are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR 2-3 , or O(CO)R;     R 4  is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl, halomethyl, CF 3 , CN, NO 2 , SR, OR, NR 2-3 , O(CO)R, SiR 1 R 2 R 3 , or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties;     n is 0-5; and     R is hydrogen, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, or SiR 1 R 2 R 3 .        
 
         [0081]     In one embodiment, R 1 , R 2 , and R 3  are each independently selected from hydrogen, a linear or branched C 1 -C 5  alkyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 5  alkenyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 5  alkynyl, halomethyl, or OR; R 4  is selected from hydrogen, halogen, a linear or branched C 1 -C 5  alkyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 5  alkenyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 5  alkynyl, CN, NO 2 , OR or SiR 1 R 2 R 3 ; and R is hydrogen, methyl, or ethyl. In yet another embodiment, R 1 , R 2 , and R 3  are each independently selected from hydrogen, methyl, chloromethyl, or vinyl and R 4  is selected from hydrogen, halogen, a linear or branched C 1 -C 3  alkyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 3  alkenyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 3  alkynyl, CN, NO 2 , OR or SiR 1 R 2 R 3 .  
         [0082]     In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, a process is provided for conversion of a compound of the Formula (I′″):  
                         
 
 into a compound of the Formula (II′″):  
                         
 
 using a dioxygenase enzyme; 
 
         [0083]     wherein: 
        R 1 , R 2 , and R 3  are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR 2-3  , or O(CO)R;     R 4  is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl, halomethyl, CF 3 , CN, NO 2 , SR, OR, NR 2-3 , O(CO)R, SiR 1 R 2 R 3 , or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties;     n is 0-5; and     R is hydrogen, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, or SiR 1 R 2 R 3 .        
 
         [0088]     In one embodiment, R 1 , R 2 , and R 3  are each independently selected from hydrogen, a linear or branched C 1 -C 5  alkyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 5  alkenyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 5  alkynyl, halomethyl, or OR; R 4  is selected from hydrogen, halogen, a linear or branched C 1 -C 5  alkyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 5  alkenyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 5  alkynyl, CN, NO 2 , OR or SiR 1 R 2 R 3 ; and R is hydrogen, methyl, or ethyl. In yet another embodiment, R 1 , R 2 , and R 3  are each independently selected from hydrogen, methyl, chloromethyl, or vinyl and R 4  is selected from hydrogen, halogen, a linear or branched C 1 -C 3  alkyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 3  alkenyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 3  alkynyl, CN, NO 2 , OR or SiR 1 R 2 R 3 .  
         [0089]     In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, a process is provided for conversion of a compound of the Formula (I″″):  
                         
 
 into a compound of the Formula (II″″):  
                         
 
 using a dioxygenase enzyme; 
 
         [0090]     wherein: 
        R 1 , R 2 , and R 3  are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR 2-3  , or O(CO)R;     R 4  is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl, halomethyl, CF 3 , CN, NO 2 , SR, OR, NR 2-3 , O(CO)R, SiR 1 R 2 R 3 , or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties;     n is 0-3;     R is hydrogen, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, or SiR 1 R 2 R 3 ; and     X is a divalent linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, C 2 -C 18  alkynyl spacer, S, O or NR 1-2 . 
 
 The two hydroxyl group substituents are attached to adjacent carbons and are in a cis-configuration with respect to one another. 
       
 
         [0096]     In one embodiment, R 1 , R 2 , and R 3  are each independently selected from hydrogen, a linear or branched C 1 -C 5  alkyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 5  alkenyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 5  alkynyl, halomethyl, or OR; R 4  is selected from hydrogen, halogen, a linear or branched C 1 -C 5  alkyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 5  alkenyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 5  alkynyl, CN, NO 2 , OR or SiR 1 R 2 R 3 ; R is hydrogen, methyl, or ethyl; and X is either a divalent linear or branched C 1 -C 5  alkyl, C 2 -C 5  alkenyl, or C 2 -C 5  alkynyl spacer. In yet another embodiment, R 1 , R 2 , and R 3  are each independently selected from hydrogen, methyl, chloromethyl, or vinyl and R 4  is selected from hydrogen, halogen, a linear or branched C 1 -C 3  alkyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 3  alkenyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 3  alkynyl, CN, NO 2 , OR or SiR 1 R 2 R 3 .  
         [0097]     It will be understood by those having skill in the art that the compounds of Formula (II)-(II″″) comprise a novel class of chiral cis-diols containing silicon. It will be further understood that the present invention encompasses the compounds of Formula (II) -(II″″). The cis-diol may be present in an enantiomeric excess of between about 10 to about 100 percent. Alternatively, the cis-diol may be present in an enantiomeric excess of between about 70 to about 100 percent, or greater than about 95 percent, or greater than about 98 percent. It will be further understood that the methods of the present invention may comprise providing a plurality of aryl silane substrates. The plurality of aryl silane substrates comprise the same aryl silane, or the plurality of aryl silane substrates comprise different aryl silanes.  
         [0098]     The dioxygenase enzyme can be any aromatic dioxygenase enzyme, recombinant or otherwise; for example toluene dioxygenase (EC 1.14.12.11), naphthalene dioxygenase (EC 1.14.12.12), biphenyl dioxygenase (EC 1.14.12.18). It is contemplated that the dioxygenase enzyme that contacts the substrate can be in any form that effectively transforms a compound of Formula (I)-(I″″) into a compound of Formula (II)-(II″″), respectively. For example, the aromatic dioxygenase enzyme can be in the form of a cell-free extract, a synthetic form, disintegrated cells, or whole cells. For example, the dioxygenase enzyme is present in whole cells in various strains of  E. coli,  which express the toluene dioxygenase enzyme from  P. putida.  The construction of host cells expressing toluene dioxygenase JM109 (SEQ ID No. 1), e.g., containing a plasmid that expresses toluene dioxygenase is described in Zylstra, G. J. and Gibson, D. T.,  Toluene degradation by Pseudomonas putida F 1,  Nucleotide sequence of the todC 1 C 2 BADE genes and their expression in Escherichia coli, J. Biol. Chem.  264: 14940-14946 (1989), which is incorporated by reference herein. The nucleotide sequence of  P. putida  toluene dioxygenase and cis-toluene dihydrodiol dehydrogenase (todC1C2BAD) is given below (SEQ ID No. 1) and has an accession number of J04996.  
                               1   gaattcgttc ggcggtgcct tgtctctggc ctttgctatc               cgatttccgc atcgggttcg               61   ccgcctggtg ctgatgggtg ccgttggcgt gagcttcgag           ctcacggatg gactggatgc               121   agtttggggt tatgagccgt ccgtgccgaa catgcgcaag           gtcatggact acttcgccta               181   cgaccgaagt ctcgtttccg acgaactggc ggaactgcgc           tacaaggcga gcacccggcc               241   cggttttcag gaggccttcg cttccatgtt ccctgctccg           cggcagcgct gggtagatgc               301   gctggccagt tccgatcagg acatccggga catccggcat           gaaacgctga tcctgcatgg               361   ccgcgacgat cgcgtgattc ccctcgaaac ctcgttgcgg           ctgaaccagc tgatcgaacc               421   ctcccagtta catgtctttg gcaggtgtgg ccattgggtg           cagatcgagc aaaaccgggg               481   ctttatccgc ttggtcaacg attttcttgc cgcggaggac           tgatcgcaaa aacgggaatg               541   accatccgtt ctgaaagcac gtcatcggca attgcctgcc           aagtacccgc catccactac               601   cttgaaaagt gagaagacaa tgaatcagac cgacacatca           cctatcaggc tgcgcaggag               661   ctggaacacc agcgagatag aagcgctctt tgacgagcat           gccggacgta tcgatccgcg               721   catttatacc gatgaggatc tgtaccaact cgaactggag           cgtgtcttcg cccggtcctg               781   gctgctgttg gggcatgaaa cccagattcg caagccgggc           gattacatca cgacctacat               841   gggtgaagac cctgtcgtgg tcgtccggca gaaagacgcc           agcattgccg tgttcctgaa               901   ccagtgccgc caccgtggca tgcgcatctg ccgcgcggat           gccggaaacg cgaaggcgtt               961   cacttgcagc taccacgggt gggcttacga caccgccggc           aatcttgtca atgtgcctta               1021   cgaggccgaa tccttcgcgt gcctgaacaa gaaggaatgg           agcccgctga aggcccgggt               1081   agaaacctac aagggcctga ttttcgccaa ctgggatgag           aacgctgtag acctcgacac               1141   gtatctgggc gaggcgaagt tctacatgga ccacatgctc           gaccgcaccg aggccggcac               1201   cgaagcgatc ccgggcgtgc agaagtgggt cattccctgt           aactggaaat tcgccgcaga               1261   gcagttttgc agcgacatgt accatgccgg gacgacctcg           catctgtctg gcatcctggc               1321   aggcctgcca gaagaccttg aaatggccga ccttgctccg           ccgacagttg gcaagcagta               1381   ccgtgcgtca tggggcggac atggaagtgg cttctatgtc           ggcgacccca atctgatgct               1441   tgccatcatg gggccaaagg tcaccagcta ctggaccgaa           ggccccgcgt cggaaaaggc               1501   ggccgaacgt ctgggtagcg tggagcgcgg ctcgaaactc           atggtcgagc acatgaccgt               1561   cttccccacg tgttccttcc tcccaggtat caatacggtc           cggacatggc atccgcgcgg               1621   gccgaacgag gtcgaggtat gggcgtttac ggtggtcgat           gctgatgctc ctgacgatat               1681   caaggaagag ttccggcgcc agacgctgcg caccttctct           gccggtggcg tgttcgagca               1741   ggacgacggg gagaactggg tcgagatcca gcacatcctg           cgaggccaca ggcgcggag               1801   ccgccctttc aatgccgaga tgagcatgga ccagaccgtc           gacaacgacc cggtttaccc               1861   cgggcggatc agcaacaacg tctacagcga ggaagctgcc           cgcgggctct atgcccattg               1921   gctgcggatg atgacatccc ccgactggga cgcgctgaag           gcgacacgct gaatccagag               1981   acagcttgcg ccacgcagtg gcgccggcca gaggccgcat           ttgacttcga cccaggttgg               2041   atgcggtgga ccttgtccat ttgaaatcta caaggaacga           ccatgattga ttcagccaac               2101   agagccgacg tctttctccg caagccggca cccgtagcgc           ccgaactgca gcacgaagtc               2161   gagcagttct actattggga ggccaagctt ctcaacgatc           gccgcttcga ggagtggttc               2221   gcgctgctcg cggaagacat tcactacttc atgcccattc           gcaccacgcg gatcatgcgg               2281   gactcgcgcc ttgaatactc aggctcccga gagtacgcgc           acttcgatga cgacgccacg               2341   atgatgaagg gacgcttgcg caagatcacg tccgacgtga           gctggtccga gaaccccgca               2401   tcgcggaccc ggcatctcgt gagcaacgtg atgatcgtcg           gcgcagaggc agaaggggag               2461   tacgaaatct caagcgcctt cattgtgtac cgcaatcgtc           tggagcggca gctcgacatc               2521   tttgccggtg agcgtcgcga tacgttgcgc cgtaacacga           gcgaggccgg gttcgagatc               2581   gtcaatcgga ccatcctgat cgaccagagc accatcctgg           ccaataacct cagtttcttc               2641   ttctaggtga tgtcatgact tggacataca tattgcggca           gggtgacctg ccacccggtg               2701   agatgcagcg ctacgaaggc ggcccggaac ctgtgatggt           ctgcaacgtc gatggcgagt               2761   tcttcgcggt gcaggatacc tgcacgcatg gggactgggc           gttgtcggat ggttacctgg               2821   acggtgatat tgtcgaatgc acgttgcatt tcggcaagtt           ctgcgtgcgg accgggaagg               2881   tgaaggcgct gcctgcttgc aaacctatca aggtattccc           aatcaaggtc gaaggcgatg               2941   aagtgcacgt cgatctcgac aacggggagt tgaagtgatg           gctacccatg tggcgatcat               3001   cggcaatggc gtgggtggct tcacgaccgc gcaggcccta           cgtgccgagg gcttcgaggg               3061   gagaatctcg ctgattgggg acgaaccgca tctcccctat           gaccgaccat ccttgtccaa               3121   ggcggttctc gacggcagcc ttgagcggcc gcccatactg           gccgaggccg attggtacgg               3181   cgaggcccgc atcgacatgc tgaccggccc ggaagtcact           gcccttgatg tgcagacaag               3241   gacgatcagt ctggatgatg gcaccacgct ctctgcggac           gccatcgtca tcgcgacggg               3301   cagtcgagcg cggacgatgg cgttgcccgg cagccaactg           cccggcgtcg taacgctgcg               3361   cacctacggt gacgtgcagg tattgcgcga tagttggact           tccgcgacgc ggctgctgat               3421   tgtgggtggc ggattgatcg gctgcgaggt cgcgacgacg           gcgcgcaagc tcggcctgtc               3481   ggtcacgatc ctggaggcag gtgatgaact gctggtccga           gtacttgggc ggcgtatcgg               3541   tgcctggctg cgcggcctgc tgacagaact tggtgtgcag           gtcgagttgg gaacgggtgt               3601   cgtaggtttt tctggtgagg gccagctcga acaagtcatg           gccagcgatg ggcgcagctt               3661   cgtagccgat agcgcactca tttgcgtcgg cgcggagccc           gcggatcaac ttgcgcgtca               3721   agcgggcttg gcatgtgacc gcggcgtcat tgtcgatcac           tgcggtgcga cgcttgccaa               3781   aggcgtattc gccgtcggag atgtggccag ttggccgctg           cgcgccggcg gccggcgttc               3841   gctcgaaacc tatatgaacg cgcagcgcca agccgccgcg           gtggctgcgg ccattctggg               3901   gaaaaacgta tcggcaccgc aactgcccgt gtcctggacg           gagatcgctg ggcatcgcat               3961   gcagatggcg ggcgatatcg aaggacctgg tgatttcgtc           tcgcgcggca tgcccggtag               4021   tggcgctgcc ctgttgttcc gcctgcagga gcgaaggatt           caggcggtcg tcgcggtcga               4081   tgcaccccgt gacttcgcgc ttgcaacccg attggtagaa           gcccgcgcgg caatcgagcc               4141   agcacggctg gcagatcttt caaacagtat gcgcgatttt           gttcgtgcga atgaaggaga               4201   cctaacgtga gacttgaagg cgaagtggcc ttggtgacag           gcggtggcgc aggcctgggc               4261   agagcgatcg tggatcgtta tgtcgcggaa ggtgcgcgtg           tcgcggtgct ggataaatcc               4321   gcggcaggcc tggaagcgct caggaaactc catggcgatg           caatcgtggg cgtggagggg               4381   gatgttcgct cgctcgacag ccatcgtgag gctgtggccc           gctgcgtcga agcgttcggc               4441   aagctggact gcctggttgg caatgctggc gtttgggact           acctgaccca actggtggat               4501   attcccgacg acctcatatc ggaggcattc gaggaaatgt           tcgaggtcaa tgtcaagggc               4561   tacatcctgg cggcaaaggc tgcgctacct gcgctttatc           agagcaaagg cagcgcgata               4621   ttcactgtgt cgaatgccgg tttctacccg ggcggtggcg           gtgttctgta tacagctggc               4681   aaacatgccg tgattggatt gatcaagcag ctcgcgcacg           aatgggggcc gcgtatccgc               4741   gtcaacggca tcgcccccgg tggcattttg gggagcgatc           tgcgcgggct gaagagcctt               4801   gatttacaag acaagagcat ttcgaccttt ccattggacg           acatgctgaa atccgttctt               4861   ccgaccgggc gggccgccac tgccgaggaa tacgccggcg           cctatgtctt cttcgcgacg               4921   cgcggcgaca cggttccgct caccggtagc gtgttgaact           tcgatggcgg catgggcgtg               4981   cgtggcttgt tcgaagccag cctaggcgca cagctcgaca           agcacttcgg ttga          
 
         [0099]     Additionally, the deduced amino acid sequences of  P. putida  toluene dioxygenase (iron-sulfur protein, ferredoxin, reductase) are given below:  
         [0100]     Iron-sulfur protein large subunit (todC1) (SEQ ID No. 2)  
         [0000]     Start:620 Stop:197  
         [0101]     translation= 
                           “MNQTDTSPIRLRRSWNTSEIEALFDEHAGRIDPRIYTDEDLYQLELERV           FARSWLLLGHETQIRKPGDYITTYMGEDPVVVVRQKDASIAVFLNQCRHR       GMRICRADAGNAKAFTCSYHGWAYDTAGNLVNVPYEAESFACLNKKEWSP       LKARVETYKGLIFANWDENAVDLDTYLGEAKFYMDHMLDRTEAGTEAIPG       VQKWVIPCNWKFAAEQFCSDMYHAGTTSHLSGILAGLPEDLEMADLAPPT       VGKQYRASWGGHGSGFYVGDPNLMLAIMGPKVTSYWTEGPASEKAAERLG       SVERGSKLMVEHMTVFPTCSFLPGINTVRTWHPRGPNEVEVWAFTVVDAD       APDDIKEEFRRQTLRTFSAGGVFEQDDGENWVEIQHILRGHKARSRPFNA       EMSMDQTVDNDPVYPGRISNNVYSEEAARGLYAHWLRMMTSPDWDALKAT       R”       Iron-sulfur protein small subunit (todC2)       (SEQ ID No. 3)          
 
 Start:2083 Stop:2646 
 
         [0102]     translation= 
                           “MIDSANRADVFLRKPAPVAPELQHEVEQFYYWEAKLLNDRRFEEWFALL           AEDIHYFMPIRTTRIMRDSRLEYSGSREYAHFDDDATMMKGRLRKITSDV       SWSENPASRTRHLVSNVMIVGAEAEGEYEISSAFIVYRNRLERQLDIFAG       ERRDTLRRNTSEAGFEIVNRTILIDQSTILANNLSFFF”       Ferredoxin (todB) (SEQ ID No. 4)          
 
 Start:2655 Stop:2978 
 
         [0103]     translation= 
                           “MTWTYILRQGDLPPGEMQRYEGGPEPVMVCNVDGEFFAVQDTCTHGDWA           LSDGYLDGDIVECTLHFGKFCVRTGKVKALPACKPIKVFPIKVEGDEVHV       DLDNGELK”       Reductase (todA) (SEQ ID NO. 5)          
 
 Start:2978 Stop:4210 
 
         [0104]     translation= 
                           “MATHVAIIGNGVGGFTTAQALRAEGFEGRISLIGDEPHLPYDRPSLSKA           VLDGSLERPPILAEADWYGEARIDMLTGPEVTALDVQTRTISLDDGTTLS       ADAIVIATGSRARTMALPGSQLPGVVTLRTYGDVQVLRDSWTSATRLLIV       GGGLIGCEVTARKLGLSVTILEAGDELLVRVLGRRIGAWLRGLLTELGVQ       VELGTGVVGFSGEGQLEQVMASDGRSFVADSALICVGAEPADQLARQAGL       ACDRGVIVDHCGATLAKGVFAVGDVASWPLRAGGRRSLETYMNAQRQAAA       VAAAILGKNVSAPQLPVSWTEIAGHRMQMAGDIEGPGDFVSRGMPGSGAA       LLFRLQERRIQAVVAVDAPRDFALATRLVEARAAIEPARLADLSNSMRDF       VRANEGDLT”       Cis-toluene dihydrodiol dehydrogenase (todD, gtg       start codon) (SEQ ID No. 6)          
 
 Start:4207 Stop:5034 
 
         [0105]     translation= 
                           “MRLEGEVALVTGGGAGLGRAIVDRYVAEGARVAVLDKSAAGLEALRKLH           GDAIVGVEGDVRSLDSHREAVARCVEAFGKLDCLVGNAGVWDYLTQLVDI       PDDLISEAFEEMFEVNVKGYILAAKAALPALYQSKGSAIFTVSNAGFYPG       GGGVLYTAGKHAVIGLIKQLAHEWGPRIRVNGIAPGGILGSDLRGLKSLD       LQDKSISTFPLDDMLKSVLPTGRAATAEEYAGAYVFFATRGDTVPLTGSV       LNFDGGMGVRGLFEASLGAQLDKHFG”          
 
 In addition, the construction of host cells expressing naphthalene dioxygenase and biphenyl dioxygenase are described in Simon, M., et al Gene, 127:31-37 (1993); Mondello, F., J. Bacteriology, 171(3):1725-1732 (1989). U.S. Pat. No. 5,173,425 teaches a method for overexpressing a dioxygenase, and it is incorporated by reference herein. 
 
         [0106]     The following dioxygenase-containing organisms can be contacted with the substrates, used to oxidize aryl silanes via enzymatic dioxygenation to their corresponding cis-diols (Whited, G. M. et al. (1994) Oxidation of 2-Methoxynaphthalene by Toluene, Naphthalene and Biphenyl Dioxygenases: Structure and Absolute Stereochemistry of Metabolites.  Bioorganic  &amp;  Medicinal Chemistry,  Vol. 2, No. 7, pp. 727-734):  
                                   Strain   Phenotype                     E. coli     JM109 containing the structural genes for       JM109(pDTG601)   toluene dioxygenase (todC1C2BA) from             Pseudomonas putida  F1 in pKK223-3;           dioxygenase is inducible by isopropyl-           β-D-thiogalactoside (IPTG); ampicillin           and carbenicillen resistant (Amp).         E. coli     JM109 containing the structural genes for       JM109(pDTG602)   toluene dioxygenase and (+)-cis-(1S,2R)-           dihydroxy-3-methylcyclohexa-3,5-diene           dehydrogenase (todC1C2BAD) from             Pseudomonas putida  F1 in pKK223-3;           dioxygenase is inducible by isopropyl-           β-D-thiogalactoside (IPTG); ampicillin           and carbenicillen resistant (Amp).         Ralstonia     Wild strain containing polychlorinated         eutropha  A5   biphenyl (PCB) catabolic genes         Sphingomonas     Mutant strain containing PCB/biphenyl         yanoikuyae  B8/36   catabolic genes in which dihydrodiol           dehydrogenase (bphB) has been inactivated         E. coli     C534 containing the structural genes for       C534(ProR/Sac)   naphthalene dioxygenase from PpG7           (nahAaAbAcAd) in pAC1; dioxygenase is           expressed constitutively (Lambda P L             promoter); Amp.                  
 
         [0107]     The process of this aspect of the present invention can be viewed as a biological production process wherein the compounds of Formulas (I)-(I″″) (a group of aryl silanes) are converted into compounds of Formulas (II)-(II″″), respectively, (a novel class of silane cis-diols) using a dioxygenase enzyme. It should be recognized that the absolute stereochemistry of the cis-diol products can vary according to the dioxygenase used ( Aldrichimica Acta,  Vol. 32, No. 2, pp. 35-62). The process may be carried out in a liquid medium, more specifically, a buffered aqueous medium. Suitable buffers can be inorganic or organic and are typically those that control the pH of the medium in the range of between about 6 and about 8. For example, the buffer may be an inorganic, alkali metal phosphate buffer such as a 100 mM phosphate buffer. The pH of the process may be maintained at a pH of about 6.8 by intermittent feeding of an inorganic base, which may be an alkali metal hydroxide such as dilute aqueous sodium or potassium hydroxide.  
         [0108]     A co-substrate that provides for NADH recycle may optionally be added to the liquid medium. Typically, this co-substrate is a sugar or other carbon source (e.g. glycerol), which provides an economical energy source for the enzyme-producing microorganisms. Other optional co-substrates include α-ketoacids and their alkali metal salts (e.g., pyruvic acid and sodium pyruvate) and alcohols (e.g., ethanol and isopropanol).  
         [0109]     The process involves oxidation of the compounds of Formulas (I)-(I″″) and the source of oxygen may be molecular oxygen (O 2 ). Therefore, during the process oxygen may be continuously introduced through the liquid medium. For example, the oxygen may be in the form of air. The process may be performed at a temperature from about 25° C. to about 50° C. or between about 30° C. and about 40° C. It will be understood that the cells of the present invention should be fed under conditions that allow the cells to sufficiently metabolize the food source and to optimize the production of the cis-diols.  
         [0110]     When the process has proceeded for a suitable period it may be terminated by any appropriate means, for example by centrifugation or filtration and/or by cooling the broth to a temperature of less than about 5° C. The supernatant or product of Formulas (II)-(II″″) may be isolated by any convenient means, for example by solvent extraction, typically using a halocarbon solvent (e.g., CH 2 Cl 2 ), an aromatic solvent (e.g., toluene) or an ester (e.g., ethyl acetate) following saturation with sodium chloride. The organic extract can then be dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and dried under vacuum.  
         [0111]     In accordance with the present invention, the cis-diol-containing media can then be purified or further isolated to provide the cis-diol composition of the present invention. The inventors contemplate “isolated” as being greater than 90% [pure]. Suitable methods of purification include, but are not limited to biphasic extraction (e.g., aqueous/organic phase extraction), recrystallization from solvents and solvent mixtures known to those of skill in the art, ion exchange such as through a column containing DOWEX® resin, elution chromatography and combinations thereof. Methods of elution chromatography include, but are not limited to preparative thin-layer chromatography, conventional silica gel chromatography, and high performance liquid chromatography. Purification of the cis-diol-containing compositions by any of the above mentioned means may optionally separate the residue into various fractions, each of which may function alone or in combination with any other fraction or fractions as the cis-diols of the present invention.  
         [0112]     According to the next aspect of the present invention there is provided a process for the chemical conversion of the cis-diols into more stable acetonide derivatives. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a compound of Formula (II) is converted into the more stable acetonide derivatives of the compound of Formula (III):  
                         
 
 in which R 1 , R 2 , and R 3  are as hereinbefore defined, by reaction of the compound of Formula (II) with 2,2-dimethoxypropane or equivalent reagents (e.g. 2-methoxypropene). However, when R 1 ═R 2 ═R 3  then R 1 ═R 2 ═R 3  cannot be —CH 3 . 
 
         [0113]     The compounds of Formula (II) may be supplied in a solution of 2,2-dimethoxypropane, which may also contain trace amounts of Amberlite 118-H +  acid resin. The reaction generally takes place over a period of several hours. The reaction mixture may then be filtered, followed by evaporation of the solvent. The crude acetonides produced by the instant process of the present invention can be purified by any appropriate method.  
         [0114]     The instant conversion reaction of silane cis-diols (the compound of Formula (II)) to the acetonide derivatives (the compound of Formula (III)) is illustrated in the diagram below.  
                         
 
 Confirmation of the identity of the acetonide derivative compounds may be obtained by analysis of  1 H and  13 C NMR spectra. The present invention includes the compounds produced by this transformation. 
 
         [0115]     Examples of suitable cis-diol substrates and the corresponding acetonide derivatives are shown below in Scheme 2.  
                                                   SCHEME 2                           Acetonide derivatives of cis-diols                cis-diol substrate       Acetonide derivative                                            2a                                 3a                                             2b                                 3b                                             2c                                 3c                                             2d                                 3d                                             2e                                 3e                                             2f                                 3f                                                
 
         [0116]     In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a compound of Formula (II′) is converted into the more stable acetonide derivatives of the compound of Formula (III′):  
                         
 
 in which R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , X, and n are as hereinbefore defined, by reaction of the compound of Formula (II′) with 2,2-dimethoxypropane or equivalent reagents (e.g. 2-methoxypropene). However, when X═C 2  alkynyl and R 1 ═R 2 ═R 3  then R 1 ═R 2 ═R 3  cannot be —CH 3 . 
 
         [0117]     In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a compound of Formula (II″) is converted into the more stable acetonide derivatives of the compound of Formula (III″):  
                         
 
 in which R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , and n are as hereinbefore defined, by reaction of the compound of Formula (II″) with 2,2-dimethoxypropane or equivalent reagents (e.g. 2-methoxypropene). 
 
         [0118]     In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a compound of Formula (II′″) is converted into the more stable acetonide derivatives of the compound of Formula (III′″):  
                         
 
 in which R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , and n are as hereinbefore defined, by reaction of the compound of Formula (II′″) with 2,2-dimethoxypropane or equivalent reagents (e.g. 2-methoxypropene). 
 
         [0119]     In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a compound of Formula (II″″) is converted into the more stable acetonide derivatives of the compound of Formula (III″″):  
                         
 
 in which R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , X, and n are as hereinbefore defined, by reaction of the compound of Formula (II″″) with 2,2-dimethoxypropane or equivalent reagents (e.g. 2-methoxypropene). 
 
         [0120]     In accordance with the present invention, further contemplated is the conversion of aryl silanes to catechols through the cis-diols. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention an aryl silane of Formula (I) is converted to a catechol of Formula (IV) through the cis-diols compounds of Formula (II). The process results in the biocatalytic synthesis of a compound of Formula (IV):  
                         
 
 in which R 1 , R 2 , and R 3  are as hereinbefore defined, by reaction of the compound of Formula (II) with a diol dehydrogenase enzyme. It is contemplated that a strain of  E. coli  possessing both the toluene dioxygenase gene as well as a diol dehydrogenase gene can be used to convert aryl silanes (the compounds of Formula (I)) to the corresponding catechols (the compounds of Formula (IV)). Suitable diol dehydrogenases may be found in E.C. 1.3.1.19. For example the plasmid TDTG602 which may have the gene todC12BAD may be used in accordance with the present invention. Suitable diol dehydrogenases are found in Zylstra, G. J. and Gibson, D. T.,  Toluene degradation by Pseudomonas putida F 1,  Nucleotide sequence of the todC 1 C 2 BADE genes and their expression in Escherichia coli, J. Biol. Chem.  264: 14940-14946 (1989), which is incorporated by reference herein. 
 
         [0121]     Examples of suitable cis-diol substrates and the corresponding catechols are shown below in Scheme 3.  
                                                   SCHEME 3                           Conversion of silane cis-diols to silane catechols                cis-diol substrate       Catechol derivative                                            2a                                 4a                                             2b                                 4b                                                
 
         [0122]     In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention an aryl silane of formula (I′) is converted to a catechol of formula (IV′) through the cis-diols compounds of Formula (II′). The process results in the biocatalytic synthesis of a compound of Formula (IV′):  
                         
 
         [0123]     in which R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , X, and n are as hereinbefore defined, by reaction of the compound of Formula (II′) with a diol dehydrogenase enzyme.  
         [0124]     In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention an aryl silane of formula (I″) is converted to a catechol of formula (IV″) through the cis-diols compounds of Formula (II″). The process results in the biocatalytic synthesis of a compound of Formula (IV″):  
                         
 
         [0125]     in which R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4  and n are as hereinbefore defined, by reaction of the compound of Formula (II″) with a diol dehydrogenase enzyme.  
         [0126]     In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention an aryl silane of formula (I′″) is converted to a catechol of formula (IV′″) through the cis-diols compounds of Formula (II′″). The process results in the biocatalytic synthesis of a compound of Formula (IV′″):  
                         
 
         [0127]     in which R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4  and n are as hereinbefore defined, by reaction of the compound of Formula (II′″) with a diol dehydrogenase enzyme.  
         [0128]     In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention an aryl silane of Formula (I″″) is converted to a catechol of Formula (IV″″) through the cis-diols compounds of Formula (II″″). The process results in the biocatalytic synthesis of a compound of Formula (IV″″):  
                         
 
         [0129]     in which R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , X and n are as hereinbefore defined, by reaction of the compound of Formula (II′) with a diol dehydrogenase enzyme.  
         [0130]     In accordance with the present invention, the transformation of additional aryl silanes to cis-diols, including bis-aryl silanes such as 2-(diphenylmethylsilyl)ethanol and the compounds produced thereby, is further contemplated. The oxidation of a single aryl ring will result in materials possessing chirality around the silicon atom, as well as two new stereogenic carbon centers.  
         [0131]     In accordance with the present invention, further contemplated are additional chemical transformations of the cis-diols and acetonides of the present invention. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the cis-diol acetonides may be used to form cycloadducts by allowing the concentrated cis-diol acetonide to stand at room temperature. For example, Scheme 4 illustrates the formation of cycloadducts.  
                         
 
 It will be understood that the cis-diol acetonides of Formulas (III)-(II″″) may be used to form cycloadducts in accordance with the present invention. 
 
         [0132]     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention the derivatization or reaction of the hydroxyl groups of the cis-diol is contemplated. Suitable methods for the derivatization and protection are detailed in T. W. Greene and P. G. M. Wits, Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, 3 rd  ed. (1999), Wiley, New York and is incorporated by reference herein. For example, as discussed above, the hydroxyl groups of the cis-diols may be derivatized to form the acetonides of Formulas (III-III″″). Additionally, the hydroxyl groups of the cis-diols may be derivatized using any alkylidene group in a manner similar to the formation of the acetonides. The alkylidene may be any suitable alkylidene. For example, the alkylidene may be benzyidene or ethylidene.  
         [0133]     In another example, at least one of the hydroxyl groups of the cis-diol may be removed. For example, the cis-diols may be reacted to give phenols of the formula  
                         
 
         [0134]     wherein: 
        R 1 , R 2 , and R 3  are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR 2-3 , or O(CO)R;     R 4  is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl, halomethyl, CF 3 , CN, NO 2 , SR, OR, NR 2-3 , O(CO)R, SiR 1 R 2 R 3 , or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties;     n is 0-3;     R is hydrogen, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, or SiR 1 R 2 R 3 ;     X is nothing, a divalent linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, and C 2 -C 18  alkynyl spacer. 
 
 However, when X=nothing then R 1 , R 2 , and R 3  cannot be R 1 ═R 2 ═CH 3  and R 3 ═H or R 1 ═R 2 ═R 3 ═CH 3 . 
       
 
         [0140]     For example, the derivatives may be of the formula  
                         
 
 which may be made by reacting the appropriate cis-diol with H +  in water. 
 
         [0141]     In a further example, the hydroxyl groups of the cis-diols may be derivatized to form a di-O-acyl derivative. The acyl may be any suitable acyl functionality. For example, the acyl may be a linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, or a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl. For example, the di-O-acyl derivative may be a derivative of the formula:  
                         
 
         [0142]     wherein: 
        R 1 , R 2 , and R 3  are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR 2-3 , or O(CO)R;     R 4  is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl, halomethyl, CF 3 , CN, NO 2 , SR, OR, NR 2-3 , O(CO)R, SiR 1 R 2 R 3 , or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties;     n is 0-3;     R 5  is linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, halomethyl, linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, or linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl;     R is hydrogen, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, or SiR 1 R 2 R 3 ; and     X is nothing, a divalent linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, and C 2 -C 18  alkynyl spacer. 
 
 For example, the di-O-acyl may be  
                         
 
 which may be made by reacting dimethylsilyl cyclohexadiene cis-diol (2b) with pyridine and acetic anhydride and then extracting the reaction mixture with ethyl acetate. 
       
 
         [0149]     In yet another example, the hydroxyl groups of the cis-diol could be derivatized to form a silyl ether. For example, the silyl ether may be a derivative of the formula:  
                         
 
         [0150]     wherein: 
        R 1 , R 2 , and R 3  are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR 2-3 , or O(CO)R;     R 4  is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl, halomethyl, CF 3 , CN, NO 2 , SR, OR, NR 2-3 , O(CO)R, SiR 1 R 2 R 3 , or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties;     n is 0-3;     R is hydrogen, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, or SiR 1 R 2 R 3 ; and     X is nothing, a divalent linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, or C 2 -C 18  alkynyl spacer. 
 
 For example, the silyl ether may be  
                         
 
 which may be made by reacting dimethylsilyl cyclohexadiene cis-diol (2b) with t-BuMe 2 SiCl, dimethylformamide, and imidazole. 
       
 
         [0156]     In a further example, the hydroxy groups of the cis-diols may be derivatized by forming a boronate ester. For example, the boronate ester may be an ester of the formula  
                         
 
         [0157]     wherein: 
        R 1 , R 2 , and R 3  are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR 2-3 , or O(CO)R;     R 4  is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl, halomethyl, CF 3 , CN, NO 2 , SR, OR, NR 2-3 , O(CO)R, SIR 1 R 2 R 3 , or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties;     n is 0-3;     R 5  is aryl, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, or linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl;     R is hydrogen, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, or SiR 1 R 2 R 3 ; and     X is nothing, a divalent linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, and C 2 -C 18  alkynyl spacer. 
 
 For example, the boronate ester may be  
                         
 
 which may be made by reacting dimethylsilyl cyclohexadiene cis-diol (2b) with phenylboronic acid (PhB(OH) 2 ). 
       
 
         [0164]     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention the oxidation of the double bonds of the cis-diols and acetonides of the present invention to the corresponding epoxy derivatives is contemplated. For example, the cis-diol may have the double bond oxidized to form epoxy derivatives of the formulas:  
                         
 
         [0165]     wherein: 
        R 1 , R 2 , and R 3  are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR 2-3 , or O(CO)R;     R 4  is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl, halomethyl, CF 3 , CN, NO 2 , SR, OR, NR 2-3 , O(CO)R, SiR 1 R 2 R 3 , or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties;     n is 0-3;     R is hydrogen, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, or SiR 1 R 2 R 3 ; and     X is nothing, a divalent linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, and C 2 -C 18  alkynyl spacer. 
 
 For example, the epoxy derivatives may be  
                         
 
 which may be made by reacting dimethylsilyl cyclohexadiene cis-diol (2b) with m-choloroperbenzoic acid (m-CPBA). 
       
 
         [0171]     For example, the acetonides of the present invention may have the double bond oxidized to form epoxy derivatives of the formulas:  
                         
 
         [0172]     wherein: 
        R 1 , R 2 , and R 3  are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR 2-3 , or O(CO)R;     R 4  is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl, halomethyl, CF 3 , CN, NO 2 , SR, OR, NR 2-3 , O(CO)R, SiR 1 R 2 R 3 , or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties;     n is 0-3;     R is hydrogen, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, or SiR 1 R 2 R 3 ; and     X is nothing, a divalent linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, and C 2 -C 18  alkynyl spacer. 
 
 However, when X=nothing then R 1 , R 2 , and R 3 cannot be R 1 ═R 2 ═R 3 ═CH 3 . 
 
 For example, the epoxy derivatives may be  
                         
 
 wherein R═H and OH. 
 
 which may be made by reacting dimethylsilyl cyclohexadiene cis-diol acetonide (3b) with m-CPBA. 
       
 
         [0178]     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention the reduction of one or both of the double bonds of the cis-diols and acetonides of the present invention to the corresponding partially or fully saturated materials are contemplated. For example, the cis-diol may have at least one of the double bonds reduced to form partially or fully saturated material of the formulas:  
                         
 
         [0179]     wherein: 
        R 1 , R 2 , and R 3  are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR 2-3 , or O(CO)R;     R 4  is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl, halomethyl, CF 3 , CN, NO 2 , SR, OR, NR 2-3 , O(CO)R, SiR 1 R 2 R 3 , or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties;     n is 0-3;     R is hydrogen, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, or SiR 1 R 2 R 3 ; and     X is nothing, a divalent linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, and C 2 -C 18  alkynyl spacer. 
 
 For example, the partially or fully saturated derivatives may be  
                         
       
 
         [0185]     which may be made by exposing dimethylsilyl cyclohexadiene cis-diol (2b) to hydrogen gas or through the diimide procedure using potassium azodicarbonamide in acetic acid. (Pasto., D. J. “Reduction with Diimide”  Organic. Reactions,  1991, 40, 91.)  
         [0186]     For example, the acetonide may have at least one the double bonds reduced to form partially or fully saturated material of the formulas:  
                         
 
         [0187]     wherein: 
        R 1 , R 2 , and R 3  are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR 2-3 , or O(CO)R;     R 4  is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl, halomethyl, CF 3 , CN, NO 2 , SR, OR, NR 2-3 , O(CO)R, SiR 1 R 2 R 3 , or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties;     n is0-3;     R is hydrogen, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, or SiR 1 R 2 R 3 ; and     X is nothing, a divalent linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, and C 2 -C 18  alkynyl spacer. 
 
 For example, the derivative may be  
                         
 
 which may be made by exposing dimethylsilyl cyclohexadiene cis-diol acetonide (4b) to hydrogen gas or diimide. 
       
 
         [0193]     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, cis-diols and acetonides having a hydrosilane function may be derivatized by reacting the hydrosilane function. For example, the cis-diol or acetonide may have formulas of:  
                         
 
         [0194]     wherein: 
        R 1  and R 2  are each independently selected from hydrogen, a halogen, aryl, a linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl, halomethyl, OR, SR, NR 2-3 , or O(CO)R;     R 4  is selected from hydrogen, a halogen, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl, halomethyl, CF 3 , CN, NO 2 , SR, OR, NR 2-3 , O(CO)R, SiR 1 R 2 R 3 , or a bridging group between two arene or substituted arene moieties;     n is 0-3;     R is hydrogen, linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, or SiR 1 R 2 R 3 ; and     X is nothing, a divalent linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, and C 2 -C 18  alkynyl spacer.        
 
         [0200]     For example, the cis-diol or acetonide having a hydrosilane function may by hydrolyzed to a corresponding silanol. For example, the cis-diol of Formula (XIa) may be hydrolyzed to a silanol of the formula  
                         
 
 wherein R 1 , R 2 , R 4 , X, and n are as defined above with respect to Formula (XIa). The acetonide of Formula (XIb) may be hydrolyzed to a silanol of the formula  
                         
 
 wherein R 1 , R 2 , R 4 , X, and n are as defined above with respect to Formula (XIb). For example, the silanol may be  
                         
 
 which may be made by reacting dimethylsilyl cyclohexadiene cis-diol (2b) with NaOH, ACN/H 2 O. The silanol may be further condensed to form  
                         
 
 In a further example, the silanol may be  
                         
 
 which may be made by reacting dimethylsilyl cyclohexadiene cis-diol acetonide (4b) with ACN and H 2 O at a pH of greater than about 9. The silanol may be further condensed to form  
                         
 
         [0201]     In another example, the cis-diol or acetonide having a hydrosilane function may be subject to alcoholysis to form an alkoxy derivative. For example, the cis-diol of Formula (XIa) or the acetonide of Formula (XIb) may be subject to alcoholysis to form a alkoxy derivatives of the formulas  
                         
 
         [0202]     wherein R 1 , R 2 , R 4 , X, and n are as defined above with respect to Formulae (XIa, XIb), and R 5  is an aryl, a linear or branched C 1 -C 18  alkyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkenyl, a linear or branched C 2 -C 18  alkynyl. For example, the alkoxy derivative may be  
                         
 
 which may be made by reacting dimethylsilyl cyclohexadiene cis-diol acetonide with ethyl alcohol and sodium metal. In a further example, the alkoxy derivative may be  
                         
 
 which may be made by reacting dimethylsilyl cyclohexadiene cis-diol acetonide with isopropyl alcohol and Pt(IV). 
 
         [0203]     In a further example, the cis-diol or acetonide bearing either hydrosilane or vinylsilane functionality are subjected to hydrosilylation reactions resulting in the formation of a silicon-carbon bond.  
         [0204]     Scheme 5 shown below illustrates a number of the reactions of dimethylsilyl cyclohexadiene cis-diol (2b) as discussed above.  
                         
 
 Scheme 6 shown below illustrates a number of the reactions of dimethylsilyl cyclohexadiene cis-diol acetonide (3b) discussed above.  
                         
 
         [0205]     In order that the invention may be more readily understood, reference is made to the following examples, which are intended to be illustrative of the invention, but are not intended to be limiting in scope.  
       EXAMPLE 1  
       [0206]     Conversion of the six aryl silanes illustrated in Scheme 1 to the corresponding cis-diols was done using  E. coli  strain JM109 (pDTG601) expressing the  P. putida  F1 toluene dioxygenase genes (todC1C2BA) (SEQ ID No. 1). Cells were grown in minimal salts broth (MSB) in either a shake flask or 14 L fermentor and harvested upon attaining OD 70 (Hudlicky, T. et al. (1999)  Organic Syntheses,  Vol. 76, 77). The cell mass was resuspended in 100 mM phosphate buffer having a pH of 7.4 and containing 5 g/L glucose to OD 35. Aryl silane substrates (1-20 g/L) were added and the mixtures were incubated at 37° C. at 225 rpm for 6 hours. The pH of the mixture was adjusted back up to pH 7.4 after an initial 2 hour incubation.  
         [0207]     The whole broth was then centrifuged to remove the cells and the supernatant separated and extracted with ethyl acetate following saturation with sodium chloride. The organic extract was dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated under vacuum. The remaining material was subjected to 300 MHz NMR and GC/MS analysis to determine the extent of conversion to the cis-diol products. The products are illustrated above in Scheme 1.  
         [0208]     The products were analyzed. Dimethylphenylvinylsilane cis-diol (2a) [(1S, 2S)-3-(dimethylvinylsilyl)cyclohexa-3,5-diene-1,2-diol]  1 H NMR (300 MHz, d 6 -DMSO) δ 6.21, dd, J=24.5, 14.4 Hz, H3′; 6.11, dt, J=1.6, 6.3 Hz H4; 5.96, dd, J=14.4, 4.1 Hz, H2′; 5.90, ddd, H5; 5.80, ddd, H6; 5.71, dd, J=24.5, 4.1 Hz, H1′; 4.02, m, H2; 3.96, m, H1; 0.18, s, 6H, SiMe. GC/MS: 178 [M-18] + .  
         [0209]     Dimethylphenylsilane cis-diol (2b) [[(1S, 2S)-3-(dimethylsilyl)cyclohexa-3,5-diene-1,2-diol]  1 H NMR (300 MHz, d 6 -DMSO) δ 6.27, dt, J=1.5, 6.3 Hz H4; 5.98, dd, J=14.4, 4.1 Hz, H5; 5.95, ddd, H6; 4.20, dd, J=10.5, 2.2 Hz, H1; 4.17, sept, J=6.0 Hz, SiH; 4.07, bdd, J=10.5, 6.0 Hz, H2; 0.21, d, 6H, SiMe. GC/MS: 152 [M-18] + .  
         [0210]     Phenyltrimethylsilane cis-diol (2c) [[(1S, 2S)-3-(trimethylsilyl)cyclohexa-3,5-diene-1,2-diol]  1 H NMR (300 MHz, d 6 -DMSO) δ 6.21, dt, J=5.0, 1.0 Hz H4; 5.97, ddd, J=9.5, 6.3, 1.4 Hz, H5; 5.88, dddd, H6; 4.06, m, 2H, H1, 2; 0.05, d, 6H, SiMe. GC/MS: 166 [M-18] + .  
         [0211]     Benzyltrimethylsilane cis-diol (2d) [[(1S, 2S)-3-(trimethylsilylmethyl)cyclohexa-3,5-diene-1,2-diol]  1 H NMR (300 MHz, d 6 -DMSO) δ 5.87, ddd, J=9.5, 5.3, 2.1 Hz, H5; 5.61, bdd, J=3.1 Hz, H6; 5.55, bdd, H4; 4.21, m, H1; 3.78, d, J=6.0 Hz, H2; 1.78, 1.68, 2d, J=13.6 Hz, SiCH 2 ; 0.04, s, 9H, SiMe. GC/MS: 180 [M-18] + .  
         [0212]     Methylphenylvinylsilane cis-diol (2e) [[(1S, 2S)-3-(methylvinylsilyl)cyclohexa-3,5-diene-1,2-diol]  1 H NMR (300 MHz, d 6 -DMSO) δ 6.27, m, (R,S)-H4; 6.21, 6.20, 2dd, J=20.1, 14.6 Hz, (R,S)-H3′; 6.08, 6.06, 2dd, J=14.6, 4.7 Hz; 6.03, m, 2H, (R,S)-H5,6; 5.85, 5.84, 2dd, J=20.1, 4.5 Hz, (R,S)-H1′; 4.35, m, 2H, (R,S)-H2,SiH; 4.15, m, (R,S)-H1; 0.32, 0.31, 2d, J=3.6 Hz, SiMe. GC/MS: 164 [M-18] + .  
         [0213]     (Chloromethyl)dimethylphenylsilane cis-diol (2f) GC/MS: 166 [M-18] + .  
       EXAMPLE 2  
       [0214]     The bioconversion of cis-diols was performed in a shake flask. Cells for transformation in shake flask were grown either in separate shake flask culture or in a 14 L fermentor (see Example 3). For the shake flask, 0.5 L MSB media with ampicillin (100 μg/mL) in a 2.8 L baffled Fernbach flask was inoculated with 1 mL of a fresh seed culture of JM109 (pDTG601) or JM109 (pDTG602) placed in a orbital shaker/incubator (250 rpm, 37° C.). After 4-6 hours the cells were induced with IPTG (10 mg/L) and incubated an additional 6-8 hours until OD 600 =1.0. For the 14 L fermentor method, cells were harvested at OD 600 =30-60. Cells were collected by centrifugation and resuspended in transformation buffer (200 mM phosphate buffer pH 7.0, 0.4% glucose) to OD 600 =10. Tranformations were done in a baffled Erlenmeyer flask equipped with a vapor bulb (Hudlicky, T. et al.  Organic Syntheses,  Vol. 76, 77), with the substrates (0.8-8 mg/mL) being added directly to the broth or to the vapor bulb and contacted with the cells for 3-4 hours (300 rpm, 37° C.). The products were extracted from the whole broth with dichloromethane. The organic extract was dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated to give the cis-diol products as oils.  
       EXAMPLE 3  
       [0215]     A scaled-up conversion of dimethylphenylvinylsilane to the corresponding cis-diol in a 14 L fermentor was performed. Dimethylphenylvinylsilane (1a) (25 g, 0.15 mol) was contacted with cells of an  E coli.  strain expressing the dioxygenase JM109(pDTG601) that had been grown in a 14 L stirred fermentor at pH 7.0 and 37° C. to an OD of over 20. The silane was introduced into the fermentor at a rate such as to not adversely alter the viability of the bacterial cells, typically at or below 1 mL/min. The extent of conversion was followed by  1 H NMR and GC/MS analysis of samples drawn from the fermentor until no dimethylphenylvinylsilane was detected. At that point the broth was collected and the cells removed by centrifugation. The supernatant was passed through a 10K cutoff size exclusion filter and extracted three times with ethyl acetate (1 L). The combined organic extracts were dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and the solvent removed under reduced pressure to give the corresponding cis-diol (2a) as a dark oil (12 g, 40%).  
         [0216]     In a similar manner to that described above dimethylphenylsilane (1b) (50 g, 0.37 mol) was converted to the cis-diol (2b) as a tan oil that slowly crystallized in the refrigerator (36 g, 64%).  
         [0217]     In a similar manner to that described above benzyltrimethylsilane (1d) (25 g, 0.15 mol) was converted to the cis-diol (2d) (8 g, 22%).  
         [0218]     The enantiomeric excess (% ee) and absolute configuration of purified diols cis-(1S,2S)-3-(dimethylvinylsilyl)cyclohexa-3,5-diene-1,2-diol (2a) and cis-(1S,2S)-3-(dimethylsilyl)cyclohexa-3,5-diene-1,2-diol (2b) is greater than 98% ee as determined by the  1 H NMR method of Resnick et al. (Resnick, S. M.; Torok, D. S.; Gibson, D. T.  J. Am. Chem. Soc.  1995, 60, 3546-3549).  
       EXAMPLE 4  
       [0219]     The cis-diols (2a-e) were converted to acetonide derivatives (3a-e) as shown in Scheme 2. The cis-diols were converted to the more stable acetonide derivatives by treatment of a solution of the diol in 2,2-dimethoxypropane with a trace of Amberlite 118-H +  acid resin over several hours. Filtration of the reaction mixture was followed by evaporation of the solvent. The crude acetonides were purified on a silica gel column by elution with ethyl acetate/hexane (1:9). Analysis of the  1 H and  13 C NMR spectra confirmed the identity of the compounds.  
                         
 
         [0220]     Dimethylphenylvinylsilane cis-diol acetonide (3a) [cis4-(dimethylvinylsilyl)-2,2-dimethyl-3a,7a-dihydro-1,3-benzodioxazole]  1 H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 6.21, dd, J=19.8, 14.7 Hz, H3′; 6.21, dt, J=5.3, 0.9 Hz, H5; 6.01, dd, J=14.7, 4.1 Hz, H2′; 5.99, ddd, J=9.3, 5.3,1.0 Hz, H6; 5.87, ddd, J=9.3, 3.6, 1.0 Hz, H7; 5.74, dd, J=19.8, 4.4 Hz, H1′; 4.74, dd, J=9.0, 0.9 Hz, H3a; 4.59, ddd, J=9.0, 3.6, 1.0 Hz, H7a; 1.35, 1.31, 2s, 6H; 0.18, 2s, 6H, SiMe.  
         [0221]     Dimethylphenylsilane cis-diol acetonide (3b) [cis-4-(dimethylsilyl)-2,2-dimethyl-3a,7a-dihydro-1,3-benzodioxazole]  1 H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 6.23, bd, J=5.6 Hz, H5; 6.01, dd, J=9.8, 5.6 Hz, H6; 5.94, dd, J=9.8, 1.2 Hz, H7; 4.72, bd, J=9.0 Hz, H3a; 4.54, dd, J=9.0,4.0 Hz, H7a; 4.12, sept, J=4.0 Hz, SiH; 1.37, 1.35, 2s, 6H; 0.21, 2d, 6H, SiMe.  
         [0222]     Phenyltrimethylsilane cis-diol acetonide (3c) [cis-4-(trimethylsilyl)-2,2-dimethyl-3a,7a-dihydro-1,3-benzodioxazole]  1 H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 6.20, dt, J=5.6, 0.9 Hz, H5; 6.01, ddd, J=9.9, 5.4, 0.9 Hz, H6; 5.86, ddd, J=9.9, 3.8, 1.0 Hz, H7; 4.74, dd, J=9.0, 0.8 Hz, H3a; 4.59, ddd, J=9.0, 3.6, 0.8 Hz, H7a; 1.31, 1.36, 2d, 6H; 0.13, s, 9H, SiMe.  
         [0223]     Methylphenylvinylsilane cis-diol acetonide (4d) [cis-4-[(R,S)-methylvinylsilyl]-2,2-dimethyl-3a,7a-dihydro-1,3-benzodioxazole]  1 H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 6.28, 6.25, 2bd, (R,S)-H5; 6.20, 6.19, 2ddd, J=19.1, 14.3, 1.7 Hz, (R,S)-H3′; 6.07, 6.05, 2dd, J=14.3, 4.3 Hz, (R,S)-H2′; 6.02, bdd, 9.6, 4.8 Hz, (R,S)-H6; 5.95, bddd, J=9.6, 3.9, 1.3 Hz, (R,S)-H7; 5.86, 5.85, 2ddd, J=19.6, 4.3, 3.6 Hz, (R,S)-H1′; 4.72, bdt, J=8.4, 1.1 Hz, (R,S)-H3a; 4.53, 4.52, 2dd, J=8.4, 2.1 Hz, (R,S)-H7a; 4.30, bdq, J=3.6 Hz, SiH; 1.38, 1.36, 2bs, 6H; 0.31, 2d, J=3.7Hz, SiMe.  
       EXAMPLE 5  
       [0224]     The conversion of cis-diols to catechol derivatives was performed. Conversion of cis-diols to the corresponding catechols was effected using  E. coli  strain JM109 (pDTG602) expressing the (+)-cis-(1S, 2R)-dihydroxy-3-methylcyclohexa-3,5-diene dehydrogenase gene (todD) from  Pseudomonas putida  F1. Transformations were conducted in a shake flask as described in Example 2. Dimethylphenylvinylsilane cis-diol (2a) or dimethylphenylsilane cis-diol (2b) was added directly to the re-suspended cells (1-2 mg diol/mL transformation broth) and incubated for 3-4 hours. The whole broth was extracted with ethyl acetate for analysis of the products. TLC: extracts of both transformations (silica gel, chloroform:acetone, 4:1) showed two UV-active bands at R f ≈0.4 and 0.6, the latter turning dark brown immediately after treatment with Gibbs reagent (0.1% 2,6-dichloroquinone chlorimide in ethanol). GC/MS: 1-dimethylvinylsilyl-2, 3-benezene diol (4a): m/z (rel. intensity) 194 (M + , 4%), 166 (100%); 1-dimethylsilyl-2,3-benzene diol (4b): m/z (rel. intensity) 168 (M + , 42%), 153 (96%), 75 (100%).  
                         
 
       EXAMPLE 6  
       [0225]     Cycloadducts (5a,b) of silane cis-diol acetonides as shown in Scheme 4 were produced. The dimethylphenylvinylsilyl cis-diol acetonide (3a) was found to form a novel product when left to stand at room temperature in concentrated form over the course of a week or more. Purification of the material by column chromatography on silica gel gave the cycloadduct (5a) as a colorless oil.  1 H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ6.30, 6.18, 2dd, J=20, 14.4 Hz, 2H; 5.86-6.10, m, 5H; 7.72, 5.65, 2dd, J=20, 3.8 Hz, 2H; 4;18-4.28, m, 3H; 4.01, dd, J=5.2, 3.4 Hz, 1H; 2.90, m, H4; 2.38, bdd, J=8.7, 3.2 Hz, H4′; 2.05, bd, H5′; 1.32, 1.30, 1.23, 1.21, 4s, 12H; 0.24, 0.22, 0.16, 0.15, 4s, 12H, SiMe.  
         [0226]     In the same manner as described above dimethylsilyl cis-diol acetonide (3b) was converted into the cycloadduct (5b). The material was purified as previously described to give a colorless oil.  1 H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl 3 ); δ 6.10, dd, J=4.0,1.4 Hz, H4′; 6.04, bt, J=8 Hz, H5; 5.83, d, J=8 Hz, H4; 4.10-4.30, m, 4H, H1,2, 1′,2′; 4.09, septuplet, 2H, J=3.8 Hz, SiH; 2.86, m, H6; 2.36, dd, J=9.0, 3.8 Hz, H5′; 2.18, bd, J=9.0 Hz, H6′; 1.25, 1.22, 1.21, 12H; 0.22, 0.21, 0.17, 3d, 12H, SiMe. GC/MS;  
                         
 
       EXAMPLE 7  
       [0227]     Epoxy derivatives of the dimethylsilyl cis-diol acetonide (3b) as shown in Scheme 6 were produced. A solution of the acetonide (3b) (90 mg, 0.43 mmol) in dichloromethane (4 mL) was contacted with 2 mol equivalents of m-chloroperbenzoic acid (m-CPBA) at −10° C. After disappearance of the starting material (TLC), the reaction was extracted with saturated NaHCO 3  and the organic extract concentrated to give an oil. Purification on silica gel (hexane to hexane/EtOAc 2:1) gave a first a pair of epoxy hydrosilanes (6a, 7a, 2:1)(20 mg, 20%) followed by a pair of epoxy silanols (6b, 7b, 2:1)(41 mg, 39%). The 1,6-epoxy regioisomers were the major products.  1 H NMR (300 MHz) 6a: δ6.05, ddd, J=10.3, 6.2, 1.7 Hz, H5; 5.76, dm, J=10.3 Hz; H6; 4.70, bd, J=6.0 Hz, H2; 4.36, dt, J=7.2, 2.4 Hz, H1; 4.01, sept, J=3.9 Hz, SiH; 3.16, dt, J=6.6, 1.2 Hz, H4; 1.36, 2s, 6H; 0.2, 2s, 6H, SiMe. 6b: δ 6.05, ddd, J=10.3, 6.2, 1.7 Hz, H5; 5.77, dm, J=10.3 Hz; H6; 4.76, bd, J=7.0 Hz, H2; 4.37, dt, J=7.2, 2.4 Hz, H1; 3.25, dt, J=6.6, 1.2 Hz, H4; 2.4-2.8, b, 1H, SiOH; 1.36, 2s, 6H; 0.28, 0.22, 2s, 6H, SiMe. 7a: δ 6.31, dd, J=5.4, 1.7 Hz, H4; 4.73, dd, J=7.2, 2.4 Hz, H2; 4.54, dd, J=7.2, 1.8 Hz, H1; 4.11, sept, J=3.9 Hz, SiH; 3.55, dd, J=5.4, 1.9 Hz, H6; 3.29, td, J=5.4, 1.2 Hz, H5; 1.38, s, 6H; 0.2, 2s, 6H, SiMe. 7b: δ 6.31, dd, J=5.4, 1.7 Hz, H4; 4.76, d, J=7.0 Hz, H2; 4.63, dd, J=7.0, 1.9 Hz, H1; 3.54, dd, J=5.4, 1.9 Hz, H6; 3.29, td, J=5.4, 1.2 Hz, H5; 2.4-2.8, b, 1H, SiOH; 1.39, 2s, 6H; 0.22, 0.21, 2s, 6H, SiMe.  
                         
 
       EXAMPLE 8  
       [0228]     The dimethylsilyl cis-diol acetonide (3b) was reacted with sodium ethoxide. Freshly cut sodium (113 mg, 4.9 mmol) was added to anhydrous ethanol (freshly distilled from Mg) under an inert atmosphere. After all reaction had ceased, the solution was cooled in an ice/salt bath and the acetonide (3b) (155 mg, 0.74 mmol) was added. TLC soon after addition showed no starting material and a major product (R f .57, silica gel, hexanes:MTBE, 2:1, visualization: KMnO 4 ). The reaction was quenched with acetic acid (5.1 mmol), allowed to come to ambient temperature, diluted with dichloromethane, filtered and evaporated.  1 H-NMR showed a compound identified as the ethoxysilane (8) as shown below.  1 H NMR (300 MHz) δ 6.18, d, 1H; 5.9, m, 1H; 5.7, m, 1H; 4.7, d, 1H; 4.55, d, 1H; 1.6, m; 0.02, d, 6H.  
                         
 
       EXAMPLE 9  
       [0229]     The dimethylsilyl cis-diol acetonide (3b) was reacted with isopropanol. A solution of the cis-diol acetonide (3b) (100 mg, 0.48 mmol) in isopropanol (3 mL) was treated with chloroplatinic acid (H 2 PtCl 4 , 0.005 mol %) at 50° C. over 24 h. TLC indicated the disappearance of the starting material and the formation of a new product. The reaction mixture was concentrated and purified on silica gel (ethyl acetate/hexane, 1:10) to give the isopropoxysilane (9) as a colorless oil.  1 H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 6.32, bd, J=5.4 Hz, H5; 6.00, ddd, J=9.6, 5.4, 1.2 Hz, H6; 5.90, ddd, J=9.8, 3.6, 1.2 Hz, H7; 4.70, dd, J=8.8, 1.0 Hz, H3a; 4.59, ddd, J=8.8, 3.8, 1.2 Hz, H7a; 4.03, sept, J=6.2 Hz, Me 2 CH; 1.37, 1.36, 2s, 6H; 1.14, 1.15, 2d, J=6.2 Hz, Me 2 CH; 0.26, 0.24, 2s, 6H, SiMe.  
                         
 
       EXAMPLE 10  
       [0230]     The hydrogenation of the dimethylsilyl cis-diol acetonide (3b) was performed. The acetonide (3b) (130 mg, 0.7 mmol) was dissolved in MTBE in a test tube. 5% rhodium on alumina (30 mg) was added and the mixture was hydrogenated on a Parr-shaker at 65 psi under hydrogen gas (H 2 ) for 24 hrs. The mixture was filtered through celite and dried under reduced pressure. Solvent exchange using 3 dissolution/dry-down cycles with deuterochloroform successfully purged the product of MTBE. Analysis by  1 H-NMR showed mostly the completely saturated analogue. Decoupling experiments demonstrated that the hydrosilane functionality was intact. GC/MS showed that the major component was the hexahydroaromatic: m+/e 199 (—CH 3 ), and 156 (—C 3 H 6 O). The products shown below were present.  
                         
 
       EXAMPLE 11  
       [0231]     The conversion of a cis-diol acetonide to the silanol (11) was performed. A solution of the acetonide (3b) (90 mg, 0.43 mmol) in DCM/ACN (4 mL, 1:1) was contacted with a 1N NaOH solution (4 mL) with stirring over 2 h. TLC indicated the consumption of the starting material and the appearance of two new compounds. The reaction mixture was diluted with DCM (10 mL) and the organic layer isolated and washed with water and saturated brine solution. The organic extract was then dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated to give a mixture of the silanol (11a) and the disiloxane (11b) as an oil (65 mg, 4:1).  1 H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl 3 ) 11a: □ 6.23, dt, 1H; 6.04, dd, 1H; 5.95, ddd, 1H; 4.83, dd, 1H; 4.56, dd, 1H; 2.50, bs, 1H; 1.36, s, 6H; 0.26, 0.25, 2s, 6H. 11b: □ 6.26, dm, 1H; 5.97, m, 1H; 5.88, ddd, 1H; 4.71, dd, 1H; 4.56, m, 1H; 1.35, 2s, 6H: 0.22, s, 6H.  
                         
 
       EXAMPLE 12  
       [0232]     The hydrosilylation of cis-diol acetonides may be performed. The cis-diol acetonides of this invention bearing either hydrosilane or vinylsilane functionality may be subjected to hydrosilylation reactions resulting in the formation of a silicon-carbon bond. For example the acetonide (3b) is contacted with an olefin and Wilkinsons catalyst [(Ph 3 P) 3 RhCl] in an appropriate solvent to yield a silane containing an additional silicon-carbon bond.  
       EXAMPLE 13  
       [0233]     The reduction of the dimethylsilyl cyclohexadiene cis-diol 2b with diimide was performed. The diol (2b) was treated with diimide (N 2 H 2 ) generated using freshly prepared potassium azodicarbonamide in acetic acid. Many products were observed on TLC. Column chromatography on silica gel using ether in hexanes yielded a small amount of crystalline material that was impure by  1 H-NMR analysis. However, it appears that the major component was the 1,2,3,4-tetrahydrocyclohex-5-ene-1 ,2-cis-diol (12). The silicon hydride appears to have been hydrolyzed, presumably to either the silanol or the disiloxane as shown below.  1 H NMR (300 MHz): δ 5.83-5.91, d of p, 1H; 5.5-5.56, d of m, 1H; 4.17, bs, 1H; 4.06, bs, 1H; 3.92, sext., 1H.  
                         
 
       EXAMPLE 14  
       [0234]     The hydrogenation of the dimethylsilyl cyclohexadiene cis-diol (2b) was performed. The diol (180 mg, 1 mmol) was hydrogenated over 5% rhodium on alumina (35 mg). After 24 hours, the mixture was filtered through celite and dried in vacuo. The  1 H NMR spectrum showed what appeared to be the 1,2,5,6-tetrahydrocyclohex-3-ene (13a): 6.16 ppm, d of t. Some fully saturated material (13b) must also be present judging from the signal at 1.12 ppm, d of d, representing the methine hydrogen next to the silicon. Again, although more that 2 methyl signals are apparent, all are split, indicating that the hydrosilane groups are intact. The products are shown below.  
                         
 
       EXAMPLE 15  
       [0235]     The acetylation of the dimethylsilyl cyclohexadiene cis-diol was performed. The dimethylsilyl cis-diol (2b) (370 mg, 2.1 mmol) was treated with pyridine (3 mL) and acetic anhydride (2 mL) at ice bath temperature for 30 minutes, and then for a further 2 hours a room temperature. The reaction mixture was diluted with water (50 mL) and extracted with ethyl acetate (2×20 mL). The organic extract was washed sequentially with saturated sodium bicarbonate solution and brine and dried over sodium sulfate. The extract was then filtered and concentrated with the aid of toluene to remove traces of pyridine and acetic acid. The residue was purified on a silica gel column (EtOAc/hexane, 1:9 to 2:3) to give the diacetate (14) as an oil as shown below.  1 H NMR (300 MHz, d 6 -DMSO): δ 6.42, dt, J=5.0, 1.5 Hz, H4; 6.22, ddd, J=9.2, 5.0, 1.2 Hz, H5; 6.01, ddd, J=9.2, 5.0, 1.2 Hz, H6; 5.56, dd, J=5.8, 2.3 Hz, H2; 5.36, ddd, J=5.8, 5.0, 1.2 Hz, H1; 4.36, sept, J=3.8 Hz, SiH; 2.01, 1.96, 2s, 6H, Ac; 0.29, d, 6H, SiMe.  
                         
 
       EXAMPLE 16  
       [0236]     The dimethylsilyl cyclohexadiene cis-diol was converted to the silanol (15). A solution of the dimethylsilyl cis-diol (2b) (500 mg, 2.9 mmol) in a mixture of acetonitrile/water (5 mL, 4:1) was treated with 1N sodium hydroxide (300 μL) at room temperature. A gas was immediately seen to form and TLC indicated the formation of a new lower Rf compound. Reverse phase chromatography on C18 silica gave the silanol (15) as a tan colored oil as shown below.  1 H NMR (300 MHz, d 6 -DMSO) δ 6.18, m, H4; 5.90, m, H5; 5.86, m, H6; 4.05, m, H2; 3.95, m, H1; 0.18, s, 6H, SiMe.  
                         
 
       EXAMPLE 17  
       [0237]     The silane cis-diols of this invention were converted to the meta- and/or ortho-phenols through contacting the cis-diols with acid in water or water/solvent mixtures. The phenolic products were readily detected on TLC with Gibb&#39;s reagent.  
       EXAMPLE 18  
       [0238]     The hydrosilylation of hydro- and vinyl silane cis-diols may be performed. The cis-diols of this invention bearing either hydrosilane or vinylsilane functionality may be subjected to hydrosilylation reactions resulting in the formation of a silicon-carbon bond. For example the acetonide (2b) is contacted with an olefin and Wilkinsons catalyst [(Ph 3 P) 3 RhCl] in an appropriate solvent to yield a silane containing an additional silicon-carbon bond.  
         [0239]     It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention, which is not to be considered limited to what is described in the specification.