Poly[bis(ethylglycoxypropyl)silylene]s and poly[n-alkyl-(ethylglycoxy)silylene]s and their higher homologues, 2. Amphiphilicity and molecular ordering in the solid state

Abstract

SUMMARY: A series of polyglycol substituted polysilylenes containing up to three ethoxy units in one or both substituents of the silicon atoms were investigated for their bulk and solution properties. In comparison to the analogous nonpolar poly(di-n-alkylsilylenes), these ether functionalized polysilylenes show improved solubility in alcohols and a distinct amphiphilic character depending on the length of side chains and number of oxygen atoms incorporated. Spreading experiments on water/air interfaces demonstrated the formation of stable monolayers. Polysilylene samples with --C H 2 -( C H 2~H 2 V ) , --C H 2~H 3 ; n = 1, 2 substituents exhibit thermochromism which was correlated to a first order endotherm found by calorimetric measurements. Specimen containing two ethylglycoxypropyl substituents per silicon atom or ethyldiglycoxypropyl side chains showed no temperature or solvent dependence of the UVabsorption.