1,1,4,4-Tetra-tert-butyl-1,4-dichloro-2,2,3,3-tetraphenyltetrasilane

The title compound, C ₄₀H ₅₆Cl ₂Si ₄, 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 tertbutyl and the phenyl groups. The dihedral angle between the phenyl rings in the asymmetric unit is 37.36 (8)°.