Distinct insight into the use of difunctional double-decker silsesquioxanes as building blocks for alternating A–B type macromolecular frameworks

Abstract

Despite the rapid progress in the research on the synthesis of linear macromolecular systems with double-decker SQs included in the co-polymer chain, based on diverse catalytic processes, it still has limitations because of the formation of co-oligomers up to 20 units in a chain. Herein, we present a distinct look at known hydrosilylation reactions for forming hybrid copolymers. It is used as a synthetic protocol to synthesize DDSQ-based linear A–B alternating macromolecular systems and this is the first report on the formation of co-polymers with DDSQ with DP_n over 1000. Additionally, this distinct insight concerns studies on the impact of Si–H and Si–Vi reactive group placement in DDSQ or in a respective co-reagent on the molecular weight distributions, degree of polymerization of the resulting copolymers as well as their selected physicochemical properties, i.e. thermal, mechanical, and hydrophobic properties. Understanding the basics of the catalytic processes leading to co-polymer SQ-based systems will pave the way for their use in the formation of hybrid materials of desired properties and respective applications.