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We previously reported that phenyl- and vinyl-silsesquioxanes (SQs), [RSiO1.5]8,10,12 (R = Ph or vinyl) functionalized with three or more conjugated moieties show red-shifted absorption- and emission features suggesting 3-D conjugation via a cage centered LUMOs. Corner missing [PhSiO1.5]7(OSiMe3)3 and edge opened, end capped [PhSiO1.5]8(OSiMe2)2 (double decker, DD) analogs also offer red shifted spectra again indicating 3-D conjugation and a cage centered LUMO. Copolymerization of DD [PhSiO1.5]8(OSiMevinyl)2 with multiple R–Ar–Br gives copolymers with emission red-shifts that change with degree of polymerization (DP), exhibit charge transfer to F4TNCQ and terpolymer averaged red-shifts suggesting through chain conjugation even with two (O–Si–O) end caps possibly via a cage centered LUMO. Surprisingly, ladder (LL) SQ, (vinylMeSiO2)[PhSiO1.5]4(O2SiMevinyl) copolymers offer emission red-shifts even greater for analogous copolymers requiring a different explanation. Here we assess the photophysical behavior of copolymers of a more extreme SQ form: the half cage [PhSiO1.5]4(OSiMe2Vinyl)4, Vy4HC SQs. We again see small red-shifted absorptions coupled with significant red-shifted emissions, even with just a half cage, thus further supporting the existence of pπ–dπ and/or σ*–π* conjugation through Si–O–Si bonds and contrary to most traditional views of Si–O–Si linked polymers. These same copolymers donate an electron to F4TCNQ generating the radical anion, F4TCNQ−. as further proof of conjugation. Column chromatographic separation of short from longer chain oligomers reveals a direct correlation between DP and emission λmax red-shifts as another indication of conjugation. Further, one- and two-photon absorption and emission spectroscopy reveals multiple excited fluorescence-emitting states in a violation of Kasha's rule wherein emission occurs only from the lowest excited state. Traditional modeling studies again find HOMO LUMO energy levels residing only on the aromatic co-monomers rather than through Si–O–Si bonds as recently found in related polymers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tetrachloro- and tetraazide-substituted all-cis-tetraphenylcyclotetrasiloxanes (all-cis-T4) 2 and 3 were synthesized in high yields and were fully characterized. Then the precursor 3 underwent CuAAC click reaction with monopropargyl BINOL 4 and dipropargyl BINOL 6 to give the novel BINOL and triazole-containing all-cis-T4 cyclic siloxane 5 and the 29-8-29-membered-ring ladder-type hybrid siloxane 7. The sensing ability of compounds 5 and 7 towards anions was studied as well, and it was observed that 7 could selectively recognize iodides through synergistic C–H⋯I hydrogen bonding, resulting in an impressive fluorescence quenching with a Ksv of 8.10 × 104 M−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Innovative macrocyclic 14-membered molecule (5) and tricyclic 18-8-18-membered-ring ladder-type siloxane-based compound (7), with sulfide units inserted in the backbone were prepared through B(C6F5)3-catalyzed Piers–Rubinsztajn reaction. Further oxidation of 5 and 7 with m-CPBA enables the synthesis of the novel sulfonyl-containing cyclic and ladder-type compound (8 and 9) in high yields. Both tricyclic ladder-type products (7 and 9) show superior thermostability and their well-defined syn-type structures were determined by X-ray crystallographic analysis. The compounds 7 and 9 may become promising building blocks for various new materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cyclic silanol derivatives (CSDs), possessing siloxane rings consisting of T-unit silicon and oxygen atoms, are considered efficient precursors for the preparation of versatile well-defined building blocks of hybrid materials such as cyclic, cage- or ladder-type SQs. This review provides an outline of the main synthetic routes to numerous stereoregular CSDs with different sizes of siloxane rings since the first example of CSDs reported by Brown et al. in 1965. The typical reaction conditions and chemical shifts of 29Si NMR of all mentioned CSDs in this review are summarized in tables and schemes to recapitulate the state of the art. The synthesis of all-cis-cyclotetrasiloxanes (T4), the most investigated CSDs, and their functionalization by different organic reactions to access various all-cis-T4 with functional groups are methodically presented. Moreover, the potential of CSDs in multiple application fields is discussed to show the possible research directions of this family of compounds in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tetra(3-mercaptopropyl)-silsesquioxanes with double-decker (DDSQ) or ladder nano-cores were easily prepared from the corresponding tetraallyl derivatives through fast and convenient thiol–ene reactions. An additional tetrathiol-DDSQ with more flexible arms was also synthesized in high yield from the corresponding tetrachloro-DDSQ derivative. The three novel tetrathiol silsesquioxanes described represent versatile building blocks for the preparation of hybrid organic–inorganic materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies have demonstrated that functionalised T8 polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes with fluoride anions encapsulated within the T8 cage (T8-F) have very low reactivity, with no reports of successful modification of the organic moieties. Herein, we report the successful modification of a styryl functionalised T8-F compound with mercaptopropyltriethoxysilane using a thiol–ene click reaction. This strategy enables the vinyl moiety to be modified while maintaining the influence of the electron-withdrawing phenylene group, which stabilises the fluoride within the cage. The triethoxysilylated T8-F cages were subsequently converted into nanohybrids by sol–gel processing. Multinuclear NMR experiments (29Si, 19F, 13C) demonstrated that the POSS cage remained intact during both post functionalisation of T8-F and subsequent sol-gel processing. Furthermore, 29Si cross polarisation solid state NMR experiments using 19F as a cross polarisation agent demonstrated that the fluoride anions remain localised within the cages in the nanohybrids. The functionalisation of the styryl bearing T8-F POSS cage is the first example of both the successful modification of the poorly reactive T8-F family and the formation of a nanohybrid material incorporating fluoride ions immobilised within covalently bound T8 cages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synthesis of a styryl functionalised POSS incorporating an encapsulated fluoride ion within a (SiO1.5)8 cage (T8-F) is reported. It was characterised by single crystal XRD, MALDI-MS, FTIR, solution (29Si, 19F, 13C, 1H) and solid state (29Si, 19F) NMR. In the absence of 1H decoupling, the 29Si solution NMR spectrum exhibited a triplet of doublets. In contrast, 1H, 19F and 1H/19F double-decoupling resulted in two, three and one signal, respectively, being consistent with a single Si site whose 29Si NMR signal is modulated by both the proximal aromatic-ring protons and fluoride. The associated Si⋯F coupling constant (2.5 Hz) is substantially lower than expected for a covalent Si–F bond and arises from a fluxional Si⋯F covalent effect in which the F− interacts equivalently with all eight Si atoms. Additional variable temperature NMR studies demonstrated a threshold at −5 °C below which no Si⋯F interactions are observed, and above which an increasing Si⋯F covalent character occurs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

All-cis-tetrasiloxycyclotetrasiloxanes (Janus ring siloxanes) were facilely prepared from all-cis-cyclotetrasiloxanetetraol or sodium cyclotetrasiloxane silanolates. Moreover, we demonstrated the synthesis of extended Janus rings, [RSi(OR')O]4, containing various functional groups, via the Piers–Rubinsztajn reaction using a Janus ring siloxane as a precursor. Remarkably, we discovered the formation of an unexpected all-cis tricyclic laddersiloxane as a by-product. These synthesized compounds can be potential monomers of well-defined cage silsesquioxanes, Janus-type nanomaterials, and porous materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have synthesized and separated the enantiomer pair of chiral cyclotrisiloxanes for the first time. Three-blade propeller-like alignment of three phenyl groups in tri(2-butyl)triphenylcyclotrisiloxane induced a positive Cotton effect with (R)-2-butyl group, and a negative effect with (S)-2-butyl substituent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dye-sensitized solar cells fabricated by using a novel metal-free alkoxysilyl carbazole as a sensitizing dye and a Co3+/2+-complex redox electrolyte exhibited light-to-electric energy conversion efficiencies of over 12% with open-circuit photovoltages higher than 1 V by applying a hierarchical multi-capping treatment to the photoanode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]