Polysilyne

Polysilynes are organosilicon compounds with the formula [RSi]_n. Although their name suggests a relationship to alkynes, polysilynes are a class of silicon-based random network polymers primarily composed of tetrahedral silicon centers, each connected to one carbon and three Si centers. These compounds are prepared by Wurtz coupling of alkyltrichlorosilanes (RSiCl₃):

3 Na + RSiCl₃ → [RSi]_n + 3 NaCl

The methyl and hexyl derivatives have been described.^[1] Poly(methylsilyne) (PMSy) is a dark yellow powder.^[2] With some solvents (tetrahydrofuran, ether, toluene etc.) it forms a colloidal suspension that is clear and non-viscous, which may then be deposited as a film or coating on various substrates. Upon thermolysis, poly(methylsilyne) decomposes to silicon carbide. The optical properties of these materials has attracted attention.^[3]

References

^ Bianconi, Patricia A.; Weidman, Timothy W. (1988). "Poly(n-hexylsilyne) synthesis and properties of the first alkyl silicon [RSi]_n network polymer". J. Am. Chem. Soc. 110: 2342–2344. doi:10.1021/ja00215a077.
^ U.S. patent 6,989,428 "Methods of preparing polysilynes"
^ Brus, Louis (1994). "Luminescence of Silicon Materials: Chains, Sheets, Nanocrystals, Nanowires, Microcrystals, and Porous Silicon". Journal of Physical Chemistry. 98: 3575–81. doi:10.1021/j100065a007.

[1] Bianconi, Patricia A.; Weidman, Timothy W. (1988). "Poly(n-hexylsilyne) synthesis and properties of the first alkyl silicon [RSi]_n network polymer". J. Am. Chem. Soc. 110: 2342–2344. doi:10.1021/ja00215a077.

[2] U.S. patent 6,989,428 "Methods of preparing polysilynes"

[3] Brus, Louis (1994). "Luminescence of Silicon Materials: Chains, Sheets, Nanocrystals, Nanowires, Microcrystals, and Porous Silicon". Journal of Physical Chemistry. 98: 3575–81. doi:10.1021/j100065a007.

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