Abstract The cyclic hexasilane (Me 2 Si) 6 (1) and the linear polymeric (Me 2 Si) x react with elemental sulphur at 190–200 C much slowly than (Me 2 Si) 5. Reaction of 1 gives initially the insertion product (Me 2 Si) 6 S, and hence (Me 2 Si) 5 S,(Me 2 Si) 4 S 2, and finally hexamethyl-1, 3-dithiacyclopentasilane,(Me 2 SiS) 3, and (Me 2 SiS) 2. These last three products are also formed in the reaction of sulphur with the linear polymer. The ...