MESOMORPHIC ALKYL PHENYLSILOXANE COPOLYME RS

Anionic polymerization of phenyl(alkyl)cyclotrisiloxanes and copolymer ization of phenyl(alkyl)-cyclotrisiloxanes with hexaphenylcyclotrisilo xane in the presence of alpha,omega-[dipotassiumoxy polyphenyl(n-tolyl )siloxane] were studied at different temperatures. At 125 degrees C an d higher temperatures, equilibrium was shown to be shifted toward depo lymerization reaction. Introduction of alkyl substituents into copolym ers was accompanied by a decrease in their melting temperature T-m, as compared with poly(diphenyl siloxane), and a widening of temperature region Corresponding to their mesomorphic state. Varying the length of alkyl substituent or its content in copolymer allowed preparation of polymer films with different physicochemical properties.