Synthesis of octamethyltetrasila[2.2]paracyclophane: a high yielding Würtz coupling reaction using Cr(CO)3 templates

Octamethyltetrasila[2.2]paracyclophane and [2.2]paracyclophane are prepared in high yield from the Wurtz coupling reaction of [Cr(CO)3{η6-C6H4(SiMe2Cl)2-1,4}] and [Cr(CO)3{η6-C6H4(CH2Br)2-1,4}], respectively.