Synthesis and characterization of poly(alkoxysilane)s catalyzed by Co/Ni colloidal nanoparticles

Si-Si/Si-O dehydrocoupling of hydrosilanes with alcohols (1:1.5 mole ratio), catalyzed by group VIII metallocenes Cp2M' (M' = Co, Ni) which converted to Co(O)/nickel(O) colloidal nanoparticles, produced poly(alkoxysilane)s in one-pot in high yield. The hydrosilanes include p-X-C6H4SiH3 (X = H, CH3, OCH3, F), PhCH2SiH3, and (PhSiH2)2. The alcohols include MeOH, EtOH, 'PrOH, PhOH, and CF3(CF2)2CH2OH. The weight average molecular weight of the poly(alkoxysilane)s were in the range of 600 to 8100. The dehydrocoupling reactions of phenylsilane with ethanol (1:3 mole ratio) in the presence of the nanocolloid catalyst gave only triethoxyphenylsilane as product.