Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxanes (POSS): Silicon based monomers and their use in the preparation of hybrid polyurethanes

A series of Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxane (POSS) monomers bearing reactive hydroxyl functionalities, suitable for incorporation into step-growth polymers, is described. These monomers are difunctional in nature and are particularly well suited for use as chain extenders in the synthesis of polyurethanes. This work describes the synthesis of these POSS monomers and their incorporation into a series of polyurethanes. Preliminary thermal, mechanical and rheological data for the POSS containing polyurethanes will also be discussed.