Tris(trimethylsilyl)aluminum is used in nucleophilic silylation; silylalumination of terminal alkynes;
preparation of allyl-, aryl-, and alkenylsilanes. It takes part in the reactions of Carbonyl Additions, Silylalumination of Alkynes, Transition Metal Promoted Coupling Reactions, etc.
To aluminum powder and granular aluminum in ether is added mercury(0) and chlorotrimethylsilane
followed by lithium wire. After the reaction is complete, the solution is filtered and ether is removed. The solid residue is stirred
with pentane, which effects removal of insoluble Li(Me3Si)4Al.
Partial concentration and cooling of the pentane solution gives
(Me3Si)3Al·OEt2 as white needles.
