Abstract
superior properties. Among them, laddersiloxanes (ladder-type silsesquioxanes with defined structure) are less exploredbecause step-by-step synthesis is usually necessary. In order to investigate the properties of laddersiloxanes, and applythese compounds as monomer precursors to high function materials, we prepared laddersiloxanes with reactive vinylgroups.Methods The target compounds were obtained in a two-step reaction fromcommercially available alkoxysilanes, and total yieldswere 73–93 %. Three product stereoisomers were fully investigated by spectroscopic methods and structures were determined.Results As an extension of our previous research on constructing new laddersiloxanes, we will describe here the synthesis,characterization, and functionalization of novel divinyl-substituted laddersiloxanes. Further transformation of all productsproceeded smoothly, and extended laddersiloxanes were obtained by hydrosilylation. One isomer was isolated and the structurewas determined unequivocally by X-ray analysis.Conclusions The laddersiloxanes described here have two reactive vinyl groups at each end of the molecule. Various reactionsincluding hydrosilylation, polymerization, or olefin metathesis are possible, thus these compounds can be potential monomers forhighly functionalized materials.