Oligosilylanions can easily be prepared by cleavage of a Si-SiMe3 bond with
(BuOK)-Bu-t in THF, if the central silicon is stabilized by at least two -
SiR3 or phenyl substituents [1]. Use of alpha,omega -alkylidene bridged oli
gosilanes leads to formation of silyldianions [2]. Reaction of the dipotass
ium compounds with equimolar amounts of water results in loss of trimethyls
ilane accompanied by formation of cyclic silylanions.