Hexamethyldisilane (
TMS2) is the
organosilicon compound
Organosilicon compounds are organometallic compounds containing carbon–silicon bonds. Organosilicon chemistry is the corresponding science of their preparation and properties. Most organosilicon compounds are similar to the ordinary organic co ...
with the formula Si
2(CH
3)
6, abbreviated Si
2Me
6. It is a colourless liquid, soluble in organic solvents.
Synthesis and reactions
Hexamethyldisilane can be produced by
Wurtz-like coupling of trimethylsilyl chloride in the presence of a reducing agent such as
potassium graphite:
:
With an excess of the reductant, the alkali metal silyl derivative is produced:
:
The Si-Si bond in hexamethyldisilane is cleaved by strong nucleophiles and electrophiles. Alkyl lithium compounds react as follows:
:Si
2Me
6 + RLi → RSiMe
3 + LiSiMe
3
Iodine
Iodine is a chemical element with the Symbol (chemistry), symbol I and atomic number 53. The heaviest of the stable halogens, it exists as a semi-lustrous, non-metallic solid at standard conditions that melts to form a deep violet liquid at , ...
gives
trimethylsilyl iodide
Trimethylsilyl iodide (iodotrimethylsilane or TMSI) is an organosilicon compound with the chemical formula (CH3)3SiI. It is a colorless, volatile liquid at room temperature.
Preparation
Trimethylsilyl iodide may be prepared by the oxidative cleav ...
.
:Me
3Si−SiMe
3 + I
2 → 2 SiMe
3I
References
{{Reflist
Carbosilanes
Trimethylsilyl compounds