Synthesis of Polysilanylmagnesium Compounds

The synthesis of several bis(polysilanyl)magnesium, polysilanylmagnesium bromide compounds was accomplished by metathesis of the respective potassium polysilanyls with magnesium bromide. The compounds were isolated as adducts of THF, TMEDA, or 1,4-dioxane. The use of Grignard reagents PhMgBr and MeMgBr instead of magnesium bromide led to the formation of mixed alkyl/polysilanylmagnesium compounds.