The effect of ring-size on the electrochemical oxidation of perethylcyclopolysilanes [(Et2Si)(n)]

For evaluating the net ring-size effect on the electrochemical properties o f cyclic polysilanes, four perethylpolysilanes, namely octaethylcyclotetras ilane (Et2Si)(4) (I), decaethylcyclopentasilane (Et2Si)(5) (II), dodecaethy lcyclohexasilane (Et2Si)(6) (III) and tetradecaethylcycloheptasilane (Et2Si )(7) (IV), were studied by cyclic voltammetry and controlled potential elec trolysis. In addition, the effects of the nature of electrolyte, amount of electricity consumption and anode material on the electrolysis outcome was demonstrated for compound II. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights res erved.