Synthesis and characterization of α,ω-dichloro-polymethylphenylsilane

Abstract

The synthesis of a functional polysilane, α,ω-dichloro-polymethylphenylsilane (α,ω-dichloro-PMPS), based on the Wurtz-type reductive coupling, has been considered. A study of some reaction parameters shows that both yield and molecular weight distribution of α,ω-dichloro-PMPS can be greatly influenced by the work-up conditions, reaction time, monomer concentration and temperature during the initiation of the polymerization. By varying the synthesis conditions, different ratios of high and low molecular weight fractions were obtained. Samples of different molecular weight were isolated by fractional precipitation of the crude polymers. The chlorine-end functionalization was confirmed by 29Si NMR spectroscopy and the concentration of end-groups was quantitatively determined by elemental analysis of chlorine.