Abstract
Anionic ring-opening polymerization of 3,4-[(dimethylsilyl)isopropyl]benzo-1,1-dimethyl-1-silacyclopentene in the presence of n-butyllithium and HMPA in THF at - 78 ℃ afforded poly[3,4-(dimethylsilylisopropyl)benzo-1,1-dimethyl-1-silapentene]. The characteristic Si-H stretching frequency in the IR is observed at 2100 cm-1. The polycarbosilane has been modified by chloroplatinic acid catalyzed addition of styrene to the polycarbosilane SiH units. Molecular weights and thermal properties of the polymers were compared. The sol-gel polymerization of 3,4-[(dimethoxysilyl)isopropyl]benzo-1,1-dimethoxy-1-silacyclopentene in the presence of aqueous HCl or NaOH in THF resulted in a cross-linked polysiloxane. The xerogel has a low surface area of 13-14 m2/g and is stable up to about 400 ℃ with only 5% weight loss under a nitrogen atmosphere.