Polysilanes with functional groups

The different routes to the synthesis of functional polysilanes are presented. Typically prepared by the reductive coupling of disubstituted dichlorosilanes with molten sodium in hydrocarbon solvents, polysilanes are synthesized in a harsh environment which renders the synthetic method limited. Aryl/alkyl-substituted polysilanes can be prepared by the ring-opening polymerization of strained cyclotetrasilanes as well as by the anionic polymerization of the masked disilenes. Another preparative method is based on the dehydrogenative coupling of primary silanes with organosubstituted derivatives of transition metals. Finally, various polymer modification reactions may also provide other routes.