The title compound, C40H56Cl2Si4, was synthesized by the coupling of 1,1-di-tert-butyl-1,2-dichloro-2,2-diphenyldisilane with lithium. The asymmetric unit contains one half-molecule, which is completed by an inversion centre. In the molecule, the tetrasilane skeleton adopts a perfect anti conformation and the Si—Si bonds [2.4355 (5) and 2.4328 (7) Å] are longer than the standard Si—Si bond length (2.34 Å). The Si—Si—Si angle [116.09 (2)°] is larger than the tetrahedral bond angle (109.5°). These long bond lengths and the wide angle are favorable for reducing the steric hindrance among the tert-butyl and the phenyl groups. The dihedral angle between the phenyl rings in the asymmetric unit is 37.36 (8)°.