Abstract
Me3SiSiCD3: was generated in order to answer the question: does Me3SiSiMe: rearrange to Me3SiCH2SiH: via a silene intermediate as suggested by Davidson, or instead via a disilirane, as suggested by Wulff. Goure and Barton. The disilirane mechanism was found to predominate. Transposition of Me3SiSiCD3: to CD3Me2SiSiMe: provides evidence for the reversibility of the rearrangement of tetramethyldisilene to methyl(trimethylsilyl)silylene.
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