THE SYNTHESIS AND PROPERTIES OF (CH2F)SIH3 AND RELATED MONOFLUOROMETHYLSILANES

The reduction of (CFCl2)SiCl3 by LiAlH4, Me3SnH, and (nBu)3SnH has been studied. The compound (CH2F)SiH3 (I) and all the compounds of the series (CFCl2-mHm)SiCl3-nHn, m = 0, 1 and n = 0-3 were detected and characterized by NMR spectroscopy. Conditions for the synthesis of I, (CHFCl)SiH3 (IX) and (CFCl2)SiH3 (V) with acceptable yields have been optimized. These novel compounds were studied by H-1, F-19, C-13 and Si-29 NMR spectroscopy; their infrared and Raman spectra were recorded and assigned with the assistance of a normal coordinate analysis of I and its isotopomer (CD2F)SiD3. The thermolyses of I, IX and (CHF2)SiH3 (X) which start at about 120, 200 and 180-degrees-C, respectively, have been studied. Whereas I decomposes by a migration of F from C to Si, compound X undergoes elimination of the carbene CHF, insertion of which into SiH bonds ultimately gives CH3Si derivatives.