The silicon compounds SiMe2 (NRR′) 2 [NRR′= NMe2 (1), NEt2 (2), NC4H8 (3), NHEt (4), NHiPr (5), NHtBu (6), NMeBu (7)] have been synthesised via aminolysis of the dichloro species SiMe2Cl2 and their ligating ability has been investigated towards zirconium (IV). The dimer zirconium compound {Zr [(NiPr) 2SiMe2] 2} 2 (8) has been synthesised by reacting ZrCl4 with the lithium salt Li2 [(NiPr) 2SiMe2] and its molecular structure has ...