Me2SiH2

Me2SiH2, also known as dimethylsilane, is an organosilicon compound with the formula (CH3)2SiH2. It is a dialkylsilane in which the silicon atom bears two methyl groups and two hydrogen substituents. The molecule adopts a tetrahedral geometry around silicon and has a relatively low molecular weight, giving it high volatility compared with many higher silanes. It is typically handled as a moisture- and air-sensitive reagent and is commonly stored under inert atmosphere.

Me2SiH2 is usually prepared by reduction of the dichloride Me2SiCl2 with a hydride donor such as lithium aluminum hydride or sodium borohydride. It can also be generated in situ in certain catalytic hydrosilylation workflows.

In organic synthesis, dimethylsilane serves as a source of the dimethylsilyl hydride fragment and participates in hydrosilylation and related transformations that form silicon–carbon bonds. It can be used as a reagent to introduce dimethylsilyl groups into organic molecules, and it functions as a precursor to other organosilicon species. In academia, such silane reagents are exploited in the preparation of siloxane polymers and in various silicon-centered cross-coupling strategies.

Safety notes: Like many organosilicon hydrides, Me2SiH2 is reactive and may be flammable. It should be handled under inert atmosphere, away from moisture and oxidizers, with appropriate protective equipment and proper ventilation.