Tris(trimethylsilyl)methane

Tris(trimethylsilyl)methane is the organosilicon compound with the formula (tms)3CH (where tms = (CH3)3Si). It is a colorless liquid that is highly soluble in hydrocarbon solvents.

Trisyl chemistry
Reaction of tris(trimethylsilyl)methane with methyl lithium gives tris(trimethylsilyl)methyllithium, called trisyllithium:
 * (tms)3CH +  CH3Li  →   (tms)3CLi  +  CH4

Trisyllithium is useful in Petersen olefination reactions:
 * (tms)3CLi +  R2CO  →   (tms)2C=CR2  +  tmsOLi

Trisyllithium is also a source of the bulky trisyl ligand. Some tris(trimethylsilyl)methyl derivatives are far more stable than less substituted derivatives. For example, (Me3Si)3CTeH is a well-behaved tellurol. [(Me3Si)3CTl]4 is a rare example of a robust organothallium(I) compound.