A Bicyclo[1.1.1]pentasilane Derivative. Synthesis, Molecular Structure, and Comments on Structural Homology

Abstract

Five-electron reduction of trichlorodisilane 1 with naphthalenelithium leads to a cyclotetrasilane dianion, which reacts with dichlorosilane to give the bicyclo[1.1.1]pentasilane 2 in 31% yield. Compound 2 and corresponding carbocycles are structurally similar (“structural homologues”). On the basis of a crude structural homology rule, it is possible to predict the SiSi distances of unknown compounds.