The molecular structure of the bulky primary silane, (Me3Si)3CSiH3, in the gas phase has been determined by electron diffraction. Photolysis of (Me3Si)3CSiH3 affords a convenient route to the bulky dialkyl disilane, [(Me3Si)3CSiH2]2, which is the first 1,2-dialkyldisilane to be structurally characterised by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The disilane has an unusually large Si–Si–C angle of 120.05(9)°.