In situ crystallization technique at low temperature was used to obtain single crystals of the low melting compounds N(SiMe 3 ) 3 1 and As(SiMe 3 ) 3 3. N(SiMe 3 ) 3 has a waxy consistence at room temperature. The solid-state structure of both compounds has been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. N(SiMe 3 ) 3 is distorted and shows nearly a trigonal planar coordination of the central nitrogen atom. In contrast, the heavier homologue As(SiMe 3 ) 3 shows a trigonal pyramidal coordination with Si-As-Si 103.4(6)°-104.9(6)°.