Conformational polymorphism of solid tetramesityldisilene Mes2Si=SiMes2 (Raman, UV-vis, IR and fluorescence study)

Conformational polymorphism of solid tetramesityldisilene (1) has been studied by the methods of optical spectroscopy. The three known modifications of 1: orange unsolvated 1a and two 1:1 solvates with toluene (1b) and THF (1c) have been found to transform under specific conditions to a new, most thermodynamically stable polymorph, yellow unsolvated powder 1d. The latter has been characterized by the Raman, IR, UV-vis and fluorescence data. All forms of 1 exhibit Raman spectra differing in details, which reflect their different crystal and molecular structures. Unsolvated 1a and 1d differ significantly in electronic absorption and fluorescence emission. The yellow form 1d can be converted to the orange form 1a upon illumination with laser light in the region 514-457 nm. Similarity of the Raman and UV-vis spectra of 1d to those of the solutions of 1 provides some evidence for a quasi-trans conformation of 1d.