Synthesis of multifunctional polysilanes via Si-Cl containing intermediate

Synthesis of a series of novel polysilanes (PIIs) with a relatively high co ntent of chromophore with high beta mu values as side chains is reported. T reating the parent poly(dimethyl-co-methylphenyl)silanes (PO) with acetyl c hloride and aluminum chloride gave a polysilane PI with chlorine substituen ts. Replacement of the chlorine of PI with a chromophore was achieved using hydroxy-containing chromophores in the presence of triethylamine to yield the polysilanes, PII-1 and PII-2. Investigation by gel permeation chromatog raphy and differential scanning calorimetry indicates that PII-1 and PII-2 exhibit relatively high molecular weights (M-W similar to 15000) and high g lass transition temperatures (143 and 132 degreesC, respectively.). The pol ymers are potential photorefractive materials. A study on the photorefracti ve effect of PIIs is in progress. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.