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.