Reaction of alpha,omega-bis[tris(trimethylsilyl)silyl]alkanes with one equivalent of potassium tert-butoxide resulted in clean formation of mono-potassium silyl anions. Addition of another equivalent of the transmetallating agent led to the formation of the di-potassium compounds. Partial hydrolysis of the dipotassium compounds induced an intramolecular reaction yielding a cyclic silyl potassium compound. (C) 1999 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.