Tetrakis(trimethylsilyl)silane

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.

Tetrakis(trimethylsilyl)silane

Names
Preferred IUPAC name 1,1,1,3,3,3-Hexamethyl-2,2-bis(trimethylsilyl)trisilane
Identifiers
CAS Number	4098-98-0
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ChemSpider	121756
ECHA InfoCard	100.156.064
PubChem CID	138115
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID10193977
InChI InChI=1S/C12H36Si5/c1-13(2,3)17(14(4,5)6,15(7,8)9)16(10,11)12/h1-12H3 Key: BOJSDHZZKKYWAS-UHFFFAOYSA-N
SMILES C[Si](C)(C)[Si]([Si](C)(C)C)([Si](C)(C)C)[Si](C)(C)C
Properties
Chemical formula	C12H36Si5
Molar mass	320.845 g·mol−1
Appearance	colorless solid
Density	0.806 g/cm3
Melting point	319–321 °C (606–610 °F; 592–594 K) sealed tube
Hazards
GHS labelling:
Pictograms
Signal word	Warning
Hazard statements	H315, H319, H335
Precautionary statements	P261, P264, P271, P280, P302+P352, P304+P340, P305+P351+P338, P312, P321, P332+P313, P337+P313, P362, P403+P233, P405, P501
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). Infobox references

Preparation and reactions

The compound is prepared by the reaction of trimethylsilyl chloride, silicon tetrachloride, and lithium:^[1][2]

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 + Me₄Si

The organolithium compound (Me₃Si)₃SiLi is a versatile reagent, e.g. to tris(trimethylsilyl)silane ((Me₃Si)₃SiH).

See also

• Tris(trimethylsilyl)methane