The first known dialkylsilane, dimethylsilane, was prepared by Stock and Somieski in 1919 (l), by the action of dimethylzinc on dichlorosilane. The lack of availability of dichlorosilane during the intervening years doubtless explains why, of the general class of RBiHz compounds, only diethyl-(2), di-n-propyl-(3), and diphenyl-silane (4) have been reported. The gift of two kilos of dichlorosilane from the Linde Air Products Co. of Tonawanda, NY ...
