Solventless Sol-Gel Chemistry Through Ring-Opening Polymerization of Bridged Disilaoxacyclopentanes

Ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of disilaoxacyclopentanes has proven to be an excellent approach to sol-gel type hybrid orgainc-inorganic materials [1]. These materials have shown promise as precursors for encapsulation and microelectronics applications (Figure 1). The polymers are highly crosslinked and are structurally similar to traditional sol-gels, but unlike typical sol-gels they are prepared by an organic base or Bronsted acid (formic or triflic acid), without the use of solvents and water, they have low VOC's and show little shrinkage during processing.