Silsesquioxanes as Models for Silica Surfaces

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/ja00187a028

The hydrolytic condensation of cyclohexyltrichlorosilane (CySiCl3) affords (1), (2), and (3a).Trisilanol 1 and 3b, the bis(triphenyltin) derivative of 3a, have been structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies.Trisilanol 1 undergoes corner-capping reactions with trifunctional monomers (e.g., R'SiCl3, MeGeCl3, MeSnCl3), is selectively monosilylated to (6a) with chlorotrimethylsilane, and can be dehydrated to (7a).Comparison of the molecular structure of 1 with (111) β-cristobalite and (0001)β-tridymite reveals many structural similarities.Silsesquioxanes 1, 6a, and 7a are discussed as models for silica surfaces.