Traditional routes to silicone polymers typically lead to complex mixtures, which make it difficult, or even impossible, to develop structure/interfacial property relationships.  A better understanding of these relationships is important for a variety of electronic and biomedical applications of silicones. The Piers-Rubinsztajn reaction (PR) involves the B(C6F5)3-catalyzed condensation of alkoxy- and hydro-silanes to give siloxanes and alkane byproducts.  We have demonstrated that single products with explicit structures can be produced using this method. In addition, elastomers and foams, with less precise structures, are also readily available.  Alkoxy-substituted aryl groups may also be incorporated into the silicone matrix.  The surface activity of the products can be enhanced with such systems by using either thiol-ene click or metal-free azide/alkyne click reactions to link hydrophiles (e.g., polyethers) to appropriately functionalized silicones.  A preliminary understanding of the relationship between structural features and surface activity will be examined.

Flexible and functional silicone polymer assembly using main group strategies

244th National Meeting (2012)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.