3, 3, 3-Trifluoropropyl(methyl)cyclosiloxanes

Abstract

The influence of the number of 3, 3, 3-trifluoropropyl(methyl)siloxane links (Φ/Φ) in the cyclotetrasiloxanes Φ_mD_4-m, where D represents the dimethylsiloxane link and m=0–4, on the rearrangement of these compounds in acetone solution under the action of sodium siloxanolate has been studied. The rearrangement takes place with the formation of a linear polysiloxane the degradation of which yields, in addition to the initial ring, cyclosiloxanes with a different structure. The rate of rearrangement of Φ_mD_4-m and of the formation of a linear polysiloxane rises with an increase in m from 0 to 3. The equilibrium concentration of the linear polysiloxane formed from Φ_mD_4-m is inversely proportional to m. Results have been obtained on the kinetics of the formation of the cyclosiloxanes Φ_mD_n, where m=0–5, n=0–5, and m+n=3–6, in the rearrangement of the rings ΦD₃, Φ₂D₂, Φ₃D, and Φ₄. The reactivity of the siloxane links rises in the sequence ∼ (CH₃)₂Si-O-Si(CH₃)₂ ∼<∼ (CF₃CH₂CH₂)-(CH₃) Si-O-Si(CH₃)₂ ∼<(CF₃CH₂CH₂) (CH₃)Si-O-Si(CH₃) (CH₂CH₂CF₃) ∼. Because of the negative inductive effect transferred through the siloxane links, the 3, 3, 3-trifluoropropyl groups strongly activate the siloxane ring with respect to nucleophiiic reagents.