Cyclic polysilanes : XIX. A temperature study of redistribution equilibria between permethylcyclopolysilanes

Equilibria among the cyclic compounds (Me₂Si)_n where n = 5, 6 and 7 have been studied between 30–58°C. Thermodynamic values for the redistribution reactions between pairs of compounds are, for n = 5 → 6, ΔH = ?18 kcal/mole, ΔS = ?20 cal/deg. mole; for n = 7 → 6, ΔH ?3, ΔS +33; for n = 7 → 5, ΔH +18, ΔS + 51. The enthalpies indicate that the stabilities of the rings increase in the order (Me₂Si)₅ < (Me₂Si)₇ < (Me₂Si)₆. The differences are smaller than corresponding differences among the cycloalkanes, probably because the silicon compounds are less affected by steric repulsions and angle strain.