π-Conjugated Disilenes and Tetrasilacyclobutadiene

Abstract

The kinetic stabilization using sterically demanding bulky substituents or ligands provides us an exciting opportunity to explore a large variety of organoelement unsaturated compounds. We recently demonstrated that a new class of fused-ring bulky octa-R-substituted s-hydrindacenyl groups (Rind groups) can act as unique protecting groups in the main group chemistry as well as in the transition metal chemistry. This manuscript describes the recent advances in the chemistry of π-conjugated systems containing sp2-hybridized silicon atoms stabilized by the bulky Rind groups. The synthesis and characterization of various π-conjugated disilene compounds as well as a planar rhombic charge-separated tetrasilacyclobutadiene incorporating the bulky Rind groups are covered.