Reactions of a tetrasilabicyclo[1.1.0]but-1(3)-ene with carbon tetrachloride and methanol

Abstract

Bicyclo[1.1.0]tetrasila-1(3)-ene 1b was synthesized and isolated as orange crystals. While 1b has a highly distorted SiSi double bond in the bicyclic silicon framework similar to that of the previously reported 1a, 1b has less bulky SiMe₃ substituents than SiⁱPrMe₂ substituents that were involved in 1a. Accordingly, the molecular structure and electronic properties of 1b resemble those of 1a, but 1b readily reacts with carbon tetrachloride and methanol. The reaction of 1b with carbon tetrachloride providing a cyclic tetrachlorotetrasilane and an acyclic hexachlorotetrasilane suggests the generation of a 1,3-dichlorobicyclo[1.1.0]tetrasilane and its isomer, a tetrasiladiene, the latter of which was supported by the formation of an acyclic tetrasilane during the reaction of 1b with methanol.