Wikipedia
Bis(trimethylsilyl)acetylene
Bis(trimethylsilyl)acetylene (BTMSA) is an organosilicon compound with the formula C(Si(CH)). It is a colorless liquid that is soluble in organic solvents. This compound is used as a surrogate for acetylene.
BTMSA is prepared by treating acetylene with butyl lithium followed by addition of chlorotrimethylsilane:
LiC + 2 (CH)SiCl → [(CH)Si]C + 2 LiCl