In organosilicon chemistry, polysilynes are chemical compounds with the formula, where R can be hydrogen (e.g. in polysilyne), or organyl (e.g. in poly(methylsilyne)). Although their name suggests a relationship to alkynes, polysilynes are a class of silicon-based random network polymers primarily composed of tetrahedral silicon atoms, each connected to one hydrogen or carbon and three Si atoms. These compounds are prepared by Wurtz coupling of alkyltrichlorosilanes :
The methyl and hexyl derivatives have been described.[1] Poly(methylsilyne) (PMSy) is a dark yellow powder.[2] With some solvents (tetrahydrofuran, ether, toluene etc.) it forms a colloidal suspension that is clear and non-viscous, which may then be deposited as a film or coating on various substrates. Upon thermolysis, poly(methylsilyne) decomposes to silicon carbide. The optical properties of these materials has attracted attention.[3]