1. Silicones & Phosphazenes
Inorganic Polymers
Silicones & Phosphazenes
Presentation by:
Sitanshu Kumar

2. Introduction “Inorganic polymer”
Main chain element is organized Ⅲ~Ⅵ group element.
Especially, boron, silcon, phosphorous, germanium. and sulfur.
Properties
• low temperature flexibility
• high thermal and oxidative stability
• flame retardancy
• novel forms of chemical reactivity
Structures and Classification
Classical main group inorganic polymers
Polysiloxanes Polysilanes Polyphosphazene
New Polymers Based on Main Group Elements
Poly(carbosilane)s
Polygermanes & Polystannanes

3. Polysilanes In the 1920s, first silane polymer by Kipping.
In the late 1970s, soluble and processable polysilane
Synthesis method
Wurtz coupling polymerization
Adv. : High molecular weight
Disadv. : Low yield
Side product

4. Synthesis Ultrasonic polymerization
Dehydrogenative coupling polymerization
• Lower MW (Mn.<.8000) than Wurtz - coupling
• Slow rate of reaction
• Transition metal catalyst
Advanced method for high MW
• Reduced amount of solvent
• Low temp.
• Slow addition rate of silane
• New catalyst
Synthesis
Ultrasonic polymerization
Masked disilenes

5. Electrochemical polymerization:
• Unlike the wurtz methods,
Very low temperature
Potential required for reductive
formation(-1.3 to -2.1V)
Polysilane forms initially coating on the
cathode

6. Applications
Conductive polysilane 1 2 3 4

7. Polysiloxane or Silicones
Polysiloxanes were first developed in the 1930s and
1940s.
Silicon (Si)
Silica Silanes
Siloxanes Silsesquioxanes
Synthesis method &
Ring Opening Polymerisation or
Equillibriation reaction

8. Chemical reactions: Hydrolysis Condensation Net Reaction: And / or
Solvent Swollen
SiO2 Matrix

9. Properties: Applications: Highly thermally and chemically stable.
Water repellent.
Used for low temp. lubrication.
LMW silicon polymers are soluble in organic solvents.
Good insulators.
Resistant to oxidation.
Have non-sticking and anti-foaming properties.
Applications:
Used as greases, varnishes and lubricants.
Used for water proofing in electrical condensers.
Also used for various purposes at low temperatures.
Used in medicinal and cosmetic implants because of low toxicity.
Used for high temp. oil baths, high vaccum pumps, etc.

10. Silicone fluids & Silicone elastomers
Silicone fluids are linear polysiloxanes of units.
Prepared by treating a mixture of tetrakis cyclodimethyl
siloxanes and hexamethyl disiloxane with a small quantity of 100%
sulphuric acid.
These are used as water repellents, insulating material, hydraulic oils
and various lubrication purposes.
Used in processing of cooking oils and fruit juices due to its non-toxicity.
Silicone elastomers are long chain polymers made of
silicone units.
Have high molecular weights.
These can be vulcanised to give rubber.
Vulcanisation is the formation of cross-linked chains.
Silicone resins are solvent solutions of branched chain siloxanes
containing residual hydroxyl groups.

11. Polyphosphazenes
The phosphazene backbone possesses a unique range of unusual properties.
Poly phosphazenes are also of interest as biomedical materials, bioinert, bioactive,
membrane forming, and bioerodable materials.
Synthesis method

12. Neilson and Wisian-Neilson method De Janger method
N-silyl-P-(trifluoroethoxy)phosphoranimine R=alkyl or
aryl
Matyjaszewski method
Synthesis operates at room temperature and allows
molecular weight control.
N-silylphosphoranimine R=alkyl or
aryl

13. Used as water and fire proof materials.
Applications:
Halides of phosphazenes are used as rigid plastics, expanded foam and fibres.
Used as water and fire proof materials.
These are unaffected by oil, petrol and other solvents.
Used as catalysts in manufacturing of silicones.
Used as flexible plastics.

14. Structure and bonding

15. The halide trimers consist of planar six membered rings.
The bond angles are consistent with SP2 hybridization of the nitrogen and approximately SP3 hybridization of the phosphorous.
Two of the SP2 orbital of nitrogen, containing one electron each, are used for 's' bonding and the third contains a lone pair of electron. This leaves one electron for the unhybridised PZ orbital.
The four SP3 hybrid orbital (containing four electrons) of phosphorous are used for 's' bonding leaving a fifth electron to occupy a 'd' orbital.
All phosphazenes are not planar.
The dxz orbital of the phosphorous atom overlaps with the pz orbital of the nitrogen atom adjacent to it.
The dyz orbital which is perpendicular to the dxz, can also overlap with the p z orbital of Nitrogen.
There may be in–plane – P bonding between the sp2 non bonding orbital of nitrogen and the dxy and for dx2 – y2 orbital of the phosphorous.
Structure studies

16. Nature of bonding (Orbital form)