Transient Silenes as Versatile Synthons – The Reaction of Dichloromethyl‐tris(trimethylsilyl)silane with Organolithium Reagents

Treatment of dichloromethyl‐tris(trimethylsilyl)silane (Me₃Si)₃Si–CHCl₂ ( 1 ), prepared by the reaction of tris(trimethylsilyl)silane with chloroform in presence of potassium tertbutoxide, with organolithium reagents (molar ratio 1 : 3) affords the bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl‐disilanes Me₃SiSiR₂–CH(SiMe₃)₂ ( 12 a–d ) ( a : R = Me, b : R = n‐Bu, c : R = Ph, d : R = Mes). The formation of 12 a–d is discussed as proceeding through an exceptional series of isomerization and addition reactions involving intermediate silyl substituted carbenoids and transient silenes. The carbenoid (Me₃Si)₂PhSi–C(SiMe₃)LiCl ( 8 c ) is moderately stable at low temperature and was trapped with water to give (Me₃Si)₂PhSi–CH(SiMe₃)Cl ( 9 c ) and with chlorotrimethylsilane affording (Me₃Si)₂PhSi–CCl(SiMe₃)₂ ( 7 c ). For 12 d an X‐ray crystal structure analysis was performed, which characterizes the compound as a highly congested silane with bond parameters significantly deviating from standard values.