Isolation and structure of a silicocationic species with 1,3-aryl bridging between silicon atoms: a bis-silylated benzenium ion or a bridging Ph group?

Hydride abstraction from (Me3Si)3CSiMePhH by Ph3C+ affords the cation [(Me3Si)2CSiMe2-Ph-SiMe2]+, which is shown by X-ray crystallography to contain the first structurally characterised example of a Ph group bridging between two silicon atoms.