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, is a well-behaved tellurol. is a rare example of a robust organothallium(I) compound.
See also Tris(trimethylsilyl)silane
References