Stable silylenes: Synthesis, structure, reactions

Abstract

Two dicoordinate silicon compounds have been prepared, the unsaturated silylene 4 and the saturated analog 5. Compound 4 is surprisingly stable, unchanged after boiling in toluene at 150 °C for four months. 5 decomposes slowly at 25 °C. Some chemical reactions of 4 are described, and the structures and bonding in both silylenes are considered. The additional stability of 4 over 5 is ascribed to aromatic stabilization in the 6 π-electron system of 4. © 1996, Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston. All rights reserved.