Trimethylsilyl triflate

Trimethylsilyl triflate has connectivity $\mathrm{M}{\mathrm{e}}_3\mathrm{Si}-\mathrm{O}-\mathrm{S}(\mathrm{O}{)}_2\mathrm{C}{\mathrm{F}}_3$. It transfers a trimethylsilyl group to suitable nucleophilic sites, commonly oxygen.

The weakly coordinating triflate group makes silicon highly electrophilic relative to many less reactive silyl reagents. Silylation can protect an alcohol or change the reactivity of a carbonyl-containing intermediate.