Dimethylvinylidene and dimethylmethylidene have been compared with respect to their addition reactions with styrenes and insertion reactions into several RH bonds in aprotic solvents. The results show that dimethylvinylidene is much more reactive than dimethylmethylidene in addition reactions with styrenes under the conditions used. Attention is brought to sight of a possible alkyl substituent effect in the insertion of alkylvinylidenes ...