Abstract The TiCl 4-(C 2 H 5) 2 AlCl catalyst induced the Diels-Alder addition of bis (trimethylsilyl) acetylene to 1, 3-cyclohexadiene affording 2, 3-bis (trimethylsilyl) bicyclo [2.2. 2] octa-2, 5-diene in 72% yield under mild conditions. The product eliminates ethylene upon heating to 240 C to give 1, 2-bis (trimethylsilyl) benzene.