The molecular structure of [dimethyl(phenyl)silyl]tris(trimethylsilyl)methane

The structure of the crowded molecule (Me₃Si)₃C(SiMe₂Ph) has been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The steric strain manifest itself mainly in lengthening of the Me₃SiC and Me₂PhSiC bonds (average length 1.920(6) $\text{,ac>A}\text{?}$) and closing up of the CSiC angles within the Me₃Si and Me₂PhSi groups (average 105.2(10)°), with correspondingly large C(1)SiC angles (113.5(13)°; C(1) is the central carbon atom).