Hexamethyldisilane

Hexamethyldisilane is the organosilicon compound with the formula Si₂₆, abbreviated Si₂Me₆. 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:
Iodine gives trimethylsilyl iodide.