The synthesis and several reactions of the stable silylene 1 (N, N'-di-tert-butyl-1, 3-diaza-2- sila-2-ylidene) are reported. Overreduction of 1 with alkali metals results in the formation of a dimeric dianion, which can be trapped with a proton source to give the dihydride derivative 9. In the solid state or in concentrated solutions, 1 undergoes a reversible conversion into the novel tetrameric disilene, 10. 1 reacts with ethanol, phenol, and water via insertion into ...
