Tris(trimethylsilyl)silane

Tris(trimethylsilyl)silane is the organosilicon compound with the formula (Me3Si)3SiH (where Me = CH3).

It is a colorless liquid that is classified as a hydrosilane since it contains an Si-H bond.

With such a weak bond, the compound is used as a reagent to deliver hydrogen atoms.

The compound has been described as an environmentally benign analogue of tributyltin hydride.

[1][2] The compound can be prepared by protonation of tris(trimethylsilyl)silyl lithium, which is derived from tetrakis(trimethylsilyl)silane:[2] Alternatively, the reaction of trimethylsilyl chloride and trichlorosilane in the presence of lithium delivers the silane directly but in modest yield:[3] Many coordination complexes have been prepared with (Me3Si)3Si− (hypersilyl) ligand.