9,10-Dicyanoanthracen-sensitized irradiation of 7,8-di silabicyclo[2.2.2]oc
ta-2,5-dienes 1-3 in the presence of MeOH resulted in the formation of dime
thoxydisilanes and the corresponding aromatic compounds. A stepwise mechani
sm involving C-Si bond cleavage by MeOH is proposed. (C) 1999 Elsevier Scie
nce Ltd. All rights reserved.