Hexasilylbenzene, C₆(SiH₃)₆

The title compound was obtained in a four‐step synthesis starting from (4‐methoxyphenyl)silane. Owing to the presence of activating p‐methoxy groups in the key intermediate hexakis[(4‐methoxyphenyl)silyl]benzene (4), the peripheral aryl groups can be cleaved selectively from the silicon atoms with trifluoromethanesulfonic acid, leaving the Si–C bonds to the central benzene ring intact. LiAlH₄ reduction of the resulting hexakis[(trifluoromethylsulfonyloxy)silyl]benzene (5) finally leads to crystalline, sublimable, air‐stable C₆(SiH₃)₆ (6), m.p. 165°C. In the crystals (triclinic, space group P1) the structure of the centrosymmetrical molecules approaches very closely point group D_3d, as predicted from theoretical considerations.