Abstract The system Me 3 SiCl/Mg/HMPT reacts with N-acetyl-and N-propionyl imidazoles to give CH 2 C (SiMe 3) OSiMe 3 and EtCH C (SiMe 3) OSiMe 3, respectively. Upon hydrolysis, these enoxysilanes lead to the corresponding acylsilanes, MeC (O) SiMe 3 and PrC (O) SiMe 3.