Tert-Butyldimethylsilyl chloride
tert-Butyldimethylsilyl chloride is an organosilicon compound with the formula Me2SiCl. It is commonly abbreviated as TBSCl or TBDMSCl. It is a chlorosilane containing two methyl groups and a tert-butyl group. As such it is more bulky that trimethylsilyl chloride. It is a colorless or white solid that is soluble in many organic solvents but reacts with water and alcohols. The compound is used to protect alcohols in organic synthesis.
tert-Butyldimethylsilyl chloride reacts with alcohols in the presence of base to give tert-butyldimethylsilyl ethers:
These silyl ethers hydrolyze much more slowly than the trimethylsilyl ethers.
It also can silylate terminal alkynes.