Complex 3 is a very stable molecule under an N 2 atmosphere, as can already be deduced from the harsh conditions under which it is synthesized. Since the NMR analysis and solid-state structure of 3 implied that the silicon moieties are silylenes, they would be expected to react as electrophiles, especially towards alkoxide bases. When 1 eq of KOtBu with 1eq of 18-crown-6 was added to complex 3, a color change from black/brown to dark green was observed, indicative for the formation of a new complex (4), which was isolated as a dark green air and moisture sensitive solid in 77% yield. To our surprise, the NMR spectra of 4 are quite similar to those of 3. The 1 H NMR spectrum features two broad overlapping doublets in the hydride region of the spectrum which integrate to four protons in total similar to 3, however, it is shifted upfield to -15.77 ppm. In addition, the naphthyridine backbone of 4 shows four doublet resonances, indicative of a lower symmetry than for complex 3. There is one peak at 3.09 ppm belonging to the methylene linker of 4 and one at 4.26 ppm which belongs to a methine linker. This shows that in this reaction, the backbone was deprotonated instead of there being a reaction between the alkoxide base and the silylene fragment. When 1 eq of HBArF 24 is added to complex 4, complex 3 is formed again, showing that the deprotonation is reversible which supports the structural composition of 4 as depicted in Scheme 3. In addition, the structure of 4 was probed with EXAFS (see below).