Abstract The direct silylation by Me 3 SiCl/Li/THF of saturated nitriles having a hydrogen atom in the α position with respect to the function leads, according to a simple and rapid process, to the corresponding α-silylated nitriles in yields that are moderate but much higher than those given by the comparable previously known routes. α, β-Unsaturated nitriles give the derivatives resulting from the disilylation of the double bond. Allyl or benzyl cyanide ...