Bis(trimethylsilyl)acetylene

Bis(trimethylsilyl)acetylene
Names
	Preferred IUPAC name Ethynediylbis(trimethylsilane)
	Other names BTMSA
Identifiers
CAS Number	14630-40-1 ;
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image;
ChemSpider	76286 ;
ECHA InfoCard	100.035.141
PubChem CID	84564;
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID3065798 ;
	InChI InChI=1S/C8H18Si2/c1-9(2,3)7-8-10(4,5)6/h1-6H3 Key: ZDWYFWIBTZJGOR-UHFFFAOYSA-N ; InChI=1/C8H18Si2/c1-9(2,3)7-8-10(4,5)6/h1-6H3 Key: ZDWYFWIBTZJGOR-UHFFFAOYAF;
	SMILES C(#C[Si](C)(C)C)[Si](C)(C)C;
Properties
Chemical formula	C8H18Si2
Molar mass	170.402 g·mol−1
Appearance	Colorless to white Liquid
Density	0.791 g/cm3
Melting point	26 °C (79 °F; 299 K)
Boiling point	134.6 ± 8.0 °C
Solubility in water	0.031 g/L
Hazards
	Occupational safety and health (OHS/OSH):
Main hazards	Flammable, Irritant
	Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). verify (what is ?) Infobox references

Bis(trimethylsilyl)acetylene (BTMSA) is an organosilicon compound with the formula Me₃SiC≡CSiMe₃ (Me = methyl). It is a crystalline solid that melts slightly above room temperature and is soluble in organic solvents. This compound is used as a surrogate for acetylene.

BTMSA is prepared by treating acetylene with butyl lithium followed by addition of chlorotrimethylsilane:^[1]

Li₂C₂ + 2 Me₃SiCl → Me₃SiC≡CSiMe₃ + 2 LiCl

Applications

BTMSA is used as a nucleophile in Friedel-Crafts type acylations and alkylations and a precursor to lithium trimethylsilylacetylide. The TMS groups can be removed with tetra-n-butylammonium fluoride (TBAF) and replaced with protons. BTMSA is also a useful reagent in cycloaddition reactions. Illustrating its versatility, BTMSA was used in a concise total synthesis of (±)-estrone.^[2] A key step in this synthesis was the formation of the steroidal skeleton, catalyzed by CpCo(CO)₂.

BTMSA also serves as a ligand in organometallic chemistry. For example, it forms stable adducts with metallocenes.^[3]

Cp₂TiCl₂ + Mg + Me₃SiC≡CSiMe₃ → Cp₂Ti[(CSiMe₃)₂] + MgCl₂

BTMSA is also used in the total synthesis of epibatidine (and analogs), and also in the synthesis of iclaprim.

References

^ Walton, D.R.M.; Waugh, F. (1972). "Friedel-crafts reactions of bis(trimethylsilyl)polyynes with acyl chlorides; a useful route to terminal-alkynyl ketones". Journal of Organometallic Chemistry. 37: 45–56. doi:10.1016/S0022-328X(00)89260-8.
^ Curtin, Michael L.; Wang, Cheng (2008). "Bis(trimethylsilyl)acetylene". Encyclopedia of Reagents for Organic Synthesis. doi:10.1002/047084289X.rb209.pub2. ISBN 978-0471936237.
^ Rosenthal, Uwe; Burlakov, Vladimir V.; Arndt, Perdita; Baumann, Wolfgang; Spannenberg, Anke (2003). "The Titanocene Complex of Bis(trimethylsilyl)acetylene: Synthesis, Structure, and Chemistry†". Organometallics. 22 (5): 884–900. doi:10.1021/om0208570.

[1] Walton, D.R.M.; Waugh, F. (1972). "Friedel-crafts reactions of bis(trimethylsilyl)polyynes with acyl chlorides; a useful route to terminal-alkynyl ketones". Journal of Organometallic Chemistry. 37: 45–56. doi:10.1016/S0022-328X(00)89260-8.

[2] Curtin, Michael L.; Wang, Cheng (2008). "Bis(trimethylsilyl)acetylene". Encyclopedia of Reagents for Organic Synthesis. doi:10.1002/047084289X.rb209.pub2. ISBN 978-0471936237.

[3] Rosenthal, Uwe; Burlakov, Vladimir V.; Arndt, Perdita; Baumann, Wolfgang; Spannenberg, Anke (2003). "The Titanocene Complex of Bis(trimethylsilyl)acetylene: Synthesis, Structure, and Chemistry†". Organometallics. 22 (5): 884–900. doi:10.1021/om0208570.

[1]

[2]

[3]