Microwave-Assisted Synthesis of Functional Polysilanes

The presence of reactive Si-H groups in polyhydrosilanes allows to obtain different polysilane structures with various functionalities through catalytic addition of unsaturated organic compounds. An efficient synthesis method of such functional polysilanes has been achieved using a conventional method as well as microwave irradiation. The effect of microwave irradiation on chemical reactions is generally evaluated by comparing the time needed to obtain a desired yield of final products with respect to conventional thermal heating. Research in the area of chemical synthesis has shown some potential advantages in the ability not only to drive chemical reactions but to perform them in reduced time-scale. Comparison of microwave-assisted synthesis of functional polysilanes with the conventional synthetic method demonstrates advantages related to shorter reaction times, better reaction yields and milder reaction conditions, a fact that allows a better protection of polysilane chemical structure. (C) Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, 2012