Production of organometallic polymers by the interfacial technique. V. Partial mechanistic study of the production of poly[alkyl(aryl)oxysilances]

A modified interfacial polymerization system capable of producing poly[alkyl(aryl)oxysilanes] consisting of a dichlorosilane in an organic solvent as octane and a diol in 2,5‐hexanedione is presented. It is believed that polymerization occurs near the interface in the dione phase. The products are low to intermediate in molecular weight. As the nature of silane is varied, the rate of polymer formation varies, the silane with the most electron‐deficient silicon giving the greatest rate. Molecular weight is constant as diol is changed but varies when the silane is changed so that the silane with the most bulky substitutes will give polymer with the lowest molecular weight. The results are consistant with a SN2 type reaction mechanism.