FUNCTIONALIZED SPHEROSILICATES - SOLUBLE PRECURSORS OF INORGANIC ORGANIC HYBRID MATERIALS

A number of functionalised spherosilicates of general formula [SinO2.n](Si(CH3)2Y)n, where n = 8 or 10 and Y = -CHCH2 or -CH2Cl have been prepared recently. The facile one-pot procedure that gives the functionalised spherosilicates with cubic [Si8O20] cores in high yields is described in detail here. The vinyl-functionalised spherosilicates were used to synthesize a number of organolithic macromolecular materials (OMMs) by cross-linking them using polyfunctional silyl hydrides and a Pt(II) catalyst. These OMMs have been characterised by C-13 and Si-29 cross-polarization magic angle spinning (CP-MAS) NMR spectra. Their thermal stability under N2 was studied using thermogravimetric analysis. These studies suggest that the new OMMs prepared have great potential as macromolecular precursors of unusual ceramic materials.