Synthesis and structure of the silylated benzene radical anion salts [K([18]crown-6){C6H4(SiMe3)2-1,4}] and [K([18]crown-6)(THF)2][C6H2(SiMe3)4-1,2,4,5]

► Potassium/crown ether reduction produced crystalline benzenoid radical anion salts. ► Contact ion pair was obtained with 1,4-bis(trimethylsilyl)benzene radical anion. ► Tetrasilylated benzene produced a solvent-separated ion pair.