Tetrakis(trimethylsilyl)silane explained

Tetrakis(trimethylsilyl)silane is the organosilicon compound with the formula (Me₃Si)₄Si (where Me = CH₃). It is a colorless sublimable solid with a high melting point. The molecule has tetrahedral symmetry. The compound is notable as having silicon bonded to four other silicon atoms, like in elemental silicon.

Preparation and reactions

The compound is prepared by the reaction of trimethylsilyl chloride, silicon tetrachloride, and lithium:^[1]

4 Me₃SiCl + SiCl₄ + 8 Li → (Me₃Si)₄Si + 8 LiCl

The compound is a precursor to tris(trimethylsilyl)silyl lithium by reaction with methyl lithium:^[2]

(Me₃Si)₄Si + MeLi → (Me₃Si)₃SiLi + Me₄SiThe organolithium compound (Me₃Si)₃SiLi is a versatile reagent, e.g. to tris(trimethylsilyl)silane ((Me₃Si)₃SiH).

See also

• Tris(trimethylsilyl)methane

References

1. Tetrakis(trimethylsilyl)silane. Gilman, H.; Smith, C. L. . Journal of Organometallic Chemistry . 1967. 8. 2 . 245–253. 10.1016/S0022-328X(00)91037-4.
2. Tris(trimethylsilyl)silane. Joachim Dickhaut, Bernd Giese. Org. Synth.. 1992. 70. 164. 10.15227/orgsyn.070.0164.