HEXASILYLBENZENE, C6(SIH3)6

The title compound was obtained in a four-step synthesis starting from (4-methoxyphenyl)silane. Owing to the presence of activating p-methoxy groups in the key intermediate hexakis[(4-methoxyphenyl)silyl]benzene (4), the peripheral aryl groups can be cleaved selectively from the silicon atoms with trifluoromethanesulfonic acid, leaving the Si - C bonds to the central benzene ring intact. LiAlH, reduction of the resulting hexakis[(trifluoromethylsulfonyloxy)silyl]benzene (5) finally leads to crystalline, sublimable, air-stable C6(SiH3)6 (6), m.p. 165-degrees-C. In the crystals (triclinic, space group P1BAR) the structure of the centrosymmetrical molecules approaches very closely point group D3d, as predicted from theoretical considerations.