Dilute Solution Physical Properties of Organosilane Polymers

Preliminary light scattering measurements have been carried out on the organopolysilanes [(n-C3H7)CH3Si]n, (C6H5CH3Si)n, [(c-C6H11)CH3Si]n[(n-C8H17)2Si]n, and [(n-C6H13)2Si]n, in hexane, cyclohexane, and tetrahydrofuran. For the latter two samples measurements were carried out at various molecular weights. Very high molecular weights (106) and correspondingly large molecular dimensions (100 nm) in dilute solution may be observed for these polymers. Chain dimensions (RG and RH) together with molecular weights from light scattering indicate that the polysilanes are substantially more extended than carbon backbone polymers of similar degrees of polymerization. Hydrodynamic properties were determined in hexane by dynamic light scattering and viscometry for [(n-C6H13)2Si]n, which behaves as a flexible coil in this solvent. © 1987, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.