Hexamethyldisilane

Hexamethyldisilane (TMS2) is the organosilicon compound with the formula Si2(CH3)6, 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:
 * 2 Me3SiCl + 2 K  ->  Me3Si\sSiMe3  +  2 KCl

With an excess of the reductant, the alkali metal silyl derivative is produced:
 * Me3Si\sSiMe3 + 2 K  ->  2 Me3SiK

The Si-Si bond in hexamethyldisilane is cleaved by strong nucleophiles and electrophiles. Alkyl lithium compounds react as follows:
 * Si2Me6 +  RLi  →   RSiMe3  +  LiSiMe3

Iodine gives trimethylsilyl iodide.
 * Me3Si&minus;SiMe3 +  I2  →   2 SiMe3I