The thermally stable silylene Si[(NCH2But)(2)C6H4-1,2]: Reactions with (BuCN)-C-t, AdCN, (BuNC)-N-t, AdN(3), and Me3SiN3 (Ad=1-adamantyl)

The crystalline compounds NSi(NN)Si(NN)CR [R = Bu-t (2a), Ad (2b)], (NN)Si( Bu-t)CN (3), (BuSi)-Si-t(NN)-Si(NN)CN (4), AdNSi(NN)Si(NN) (5), AdNN=NN(Ad) Si- (NN) (6), (NN)Si(N-3)N(SiMe3)(2) (7) and Me3SiNSi(NN)Si(NN)(thf) (8) we re obtained in good yield under mild conditions from Si[(NCH2But)(2)C6H4-1, 2] [= Si(NN)] and the appropriate reagent RCN, (BuNC)-N-t and R'N-3. The co mpounds 2-8 were characterised by microanalysis, multinuclear NMR and (not 8) mass spectra, as well as for 2a, 4 and 7 single crystal X-ray diffractio n data. The results are placed in context of data in the literature on reac tions of especially Si[N(Bu-t)CH=](2), (SiBu2t)(3), Mes(2)Si=SiMes(2) with (where available) a nitrile, isonitrile or azide. Reaction pathways are dis cussed.