The title compound, C28H52Si8, was synthesized by condensation of two mol-ecules of 1,2,3,4-tetra-kis-(chloro-dimethyl-sil-yl)benzene with lithium. The 3,4-disila-1,2-benzocyclo-butene rings in the centrosymmetric molecule are bridged by 1,1,2,2-tetra-methyl-disilanylene chains with an anti conformation. The benzene rings are deformed by fusion with a 3,4-disilacyclo-butene ring resulting in a slight boat conformation. Two Si-C bonds are bent to reduce the steric repulsion between the methyl groups on the two Si atoms and the methyl groups on another two Si atoms.