Tailor-made oligosilyl potassium compounds

A number of differently substituted oligosilyl potassium compounds have been prepared by reaction of the respective trimethylsilylated precursors with potassium tert-butoxide. It has been demonstrated that in the presence of larger trialkylsilyl groups always trimethylsilyl groups are removed selectively. This selectivity enables the syntheses of oligosilylanions with different sterical demand. By transmetalation of the oligosilyl potassium compounds with halides of less electropositive metals also the reactivity of the silyl anions can be controlled.