The Synthesis of tert‐Butyl(dichloromethyl)bis(trimethylsilyl)silane and (Dibromomethyl)ditert‐butyl(trimethylsilyl)silane and their Reactions with Organolithium Derivatives

tert‐Butyl(dichloromethyl)bis(trimethylsilyl)silane ( 4 ), prepared by the reaction of tert‐butylbis(trimethylsilyl)silane with trichloromethane and potassium tert‐butoxide, reacted with 2,4,6‐triisopropylphenyllithium (TipLi) (molar ratio 1 : 2) at room temperature to give (after hydrolytic workup) the silanol tBu(2,4,6‐iPr₃C₆H₂)Si(OH)–CH(SiMe₃)₂ ( 15 ). The formation of 15 is discussed as proceeding through the indefinitely stable silene tBu(2,4,6‐iPr₃C₆H₂)Si=C(SiMe₃)₂ ( 13 ), but attempts to isolate the compound failed. Treatment of (dibromomethyl)ditert‐butyl(trimethylsilyl)silane ( 7 ), made from tBu₂(Me₃Si)SiH, HCBr₃ and KOtBu, with methyllithium (1 : 3) at –78 °C afforded tBu₂MeSi–CHMeSiMe₃ ( 19 ); 7 and phenyllithium (1 : 3) under similar conditions gave tBu₂PhSi–CH₂SiMe₃ ( 20 ). The reaction paths leading to 15 , 19 and 20 are discussed. Reduction of 7 with lithium in THF produced the substituted ethylene tBu₂(Me₃Si)SiCH=CHSitBu₂SiMe₃ ( 21 ). For 21 the results of an X‐ray structural analysis are given.