The first solid state 29Si NMR of a disilyne, that is, RSiSiR, R = Si(CH(SiMe3)2)2(i-Pr) (1) was measured: delta11 = 364 +/- 20; delta22 = 221 +/- 16 and delta33 = -350 +/- 13; CSA = -643 ppm. These measured values as well as calculations for model disilynes strongly support the description of the Si-Si bond in bent disilynes as a triple bond, although with weakened pi-bonds and a reduced bond order of 2.6.

Three noVel nonsolVated gem-dilithiosilanes, R 2 SiLi 2 , were prepared by reacting in hexane lithium metal with silyl mercury precursors. X-ray structure analysis showed for two of them an unprecedented coaggregation of two R 2 SiLi 2 molecules with two R′Li molecules, exhibiting noVel structural motifs: the Li 6 core in these coaggregates is strongly distorted from the classic Li 6 core of (RLi) 6 , and each R 2 Si group bridges simultaneously two Li triangles of the Li 6 core.

The first electrochemical study of a compound containing a SiC double bond, i.e., (t-BuMe2Si)(Me3Si)Si2-Ad, reveals an extremely low oxidation potential of 0.28 V (vs Ag/AgCl), which is comparable to those of of the best known organic electron donors.