The planning grant involves a study of low molecular weight oligomers formed in the electrochemical polymerization of methylphenyldichlorosilane. The major focus will be on the separation and identification of the oligomers which have degrees of polymerization (DP) of 2, 3 and 4 with particular emphasis on the diastereomers formed at each stage of the oligomerization. This preliminary research will be carried out in two stages: 1. Optimization of conditions for the separation of the low molecular weight oligomers on both an analytical and a preparative scale. The oligomers will be obtained from the dehydrodimerization of methylphenylsilane. The optimum conditions for the separation of low molecular weight oligomers and their diastereomers by HPLC will be determined along with the use of flash chromatography for preparative scale separation of the oligomers. 2. Optimization of conditions for the electrochemical oligomerization of methylphenyldichlorosilane. The electrochemical polymerization of methylphenyldichlorosilane will be carried out according to the method of Dunogues with the exception that the production of the low molecular weight oligomers will be followed by HPLC as the reaction proceeds. The reaction conditions will be varied in order to maximize the yields of the oligomers with DP = 2, 3 and 4. Isomers will be separated and characterized. %%% Research Planning Grants enable women who have not had prior independent Federal research support to develop a competitive research project. This project involves the electrochemical polymerization of organochlorosilanes and their subsequent characterization by chromatography.
