R3SiMgMe and MnCl2 are disclosed. (1) The manganese species reacted with terminal acetylenes to give 1,2-disilylated 1-alkenes. Mono- and bis(trimethylsilyl) acetylenes gave tri- and tetrasilylated ethenes, respectively, in good yields. Highly strained tetrakis(trimethylsilyl) ethene has now become easily accessible by this technique. (2) The reaction of alkenyl halides, alkenyl sulfides, and enol phosphates