Polyphenylsilane, (HSiC6H5)(n), was synthesised by catalytic coupling
of phenylsilane using Cp(2)ZrCl(2)nBuLi as a catalyst. Chlorination of
the resulting polymer with tetrachloromethane (CCl4) gave polychlorop
henylsilane, (ClSiC6H5)(n), subsequent substitution of chloride by dim
ethylamine yielded polydimethylaminophenylsilane, ((CH3)(2)NSiC6H5)(n)
The X-ray pattern of the three polysilanes reveal their amorphous sta
te. Due to the similarity of the X-ray pattern of the three polysilane
s, diffraction peaks are observed at s similar to 0.6, 1.4 and 3.3 Ang
strom(-1), similar conformation and packing of the polysilane chains a
re concluded. The peaks at 0.6 Angstrom(-1) are identified as intercha
in peaks. From a comparison of the reduced scattering functions of pol
yphenylsilane and liquid benzene, we conclude that the arrangement of
phenyl rings in polyphenylsilane is comparable to the statistical diso
rder of benzene molecules in the liquid state. (C) 1998 Elsevier Scien
ce Ltd. All rights reserved.