The nickel-catalyzed reactions of 3,4-benzo-1,1,2,2-tetraethyl-1,2-disilacyclobut-3-ene (1) with disubstituted acetylenes have been investigated. Treatment of 1 with 3-hexyne and diphenylacetylene at 150 degrees C gave two types of adducts: 5,6-benzo-1,4-disilacyclohexa-2,5-dienes and 5,6-benzo-1,2-disilacyclohexa-3,5-dienes. With methylphenylacetylene, 1 afforded a 5,6-benzo-1,4-disilacyclohexa-2,5-diene and 5,6-benzo-1,2-disilacyclohexa-3,5-diene, together with a small amount of the other isomer. The reaction of 1 with phenyl(trimethylsilyl)acetylene produced 5,6-benzo-1,1,4,4-tetraethyl-3-phenyl-2-trimethylsilyl-1,4-disilacyclohexa-2,5-diene and 4,5-benzo-1,1,3,3-tetraethyl-2-[phenyl(trimethylsilyl)methylene]-1,3-disilacyclopent-4-ene (10). Similar reaction of 1 with 1-(trimethylsilyl)hexyne also afforded 5,6-benzo-3-butyl-1,1,4,4-tetraethyl-2-trimethylsilyl-1,4-disilacyclohexa-2,5-diene and 4,5-benzo-2-[butyl(trimethylsilyl)methylene]-1,1,3,3-tetraethyl-1,3-disilacyclopent-4-ene (12). A vinylidene carbene-nickel complex is proposed for the formation of 10 and 12, as a key intermediate.