POLYSILANE SYNTHESIS BY CATALYTIC DISPROPORTIONATION OF ALKOXYDISILANES

Network polysilanes with methyl, phenyl, and ethoxy groups (Mw 530 - 7 000) were prepared by a catalytic disproportionation reaction of methy lethoxydisilanes in the presence of phenylethoxysilanes. Hexyl or cycl ohexyl groups were also incorporated into polysilanes when correspondi ng alkoxysilanes were employed. Reaction of pentamethylethoxydisilane clarified a mechanism of the reaction.