Molecular Structure of Trisilylmethane and Synthesis of 1,1,1‐Trisilylethane

As a precursor for trisilylmethane, tris(phenylsilyl)methane is prepared by a Merker‐Scott reaction of chlorophenylsilane, bromoform, and magnesium turnings in boiling tetrahydrofuran. Chlorophenylsilane is formed in a new synthesis starting from phenylsilane and hydrogen choride/AlCl3 in diethyl ether. The gas phase structure of trisilylmethane (H3Si)3CH, obtained from (PhSiH2)3CH via (BrSiH2)3CH, has been determined by electron diffraction. Data refinement confirmed a model of C3 molecular symmetry, with local C3v symmetry for the silyl groups. — As a precursor for 1,1,1‐trisilylethane, 1,1,1‐tris(phenylsilyl)ethane has been prepared similarly from chlorophenylsilane, 1,1,1‐trichloroethane and magnesium and converted via 1,1,1‐tris(bromosilyl)ethane into CH3C(SiH3)3.