First cyclotrisiloxanes with three different R2Si-units of the general formula R2Si(OSiR2)(OSiR2)O (R2 = Me2Si(NSiMe3)2, R = Cl, Ot-Bu, R = Me)

The reaction of compound Me₂Si(NSiMe₃)₂Si(OH)Cl with Me₂SiCl₂ leads to the disiloxane Me₂Si(NSiMe₃)₂Si(Cl)OSi(Me₂)Cl (1). Hydrolysis of 1 in the presence of pyridine results in Me₂Si(NSiMe₃)₂Si(OH)OSi(Me₂)OH (2), which is allowed to react with SiCl₄ to give cyclotrisiloxane [Me₂Si(NSiMe₃)₂Si](OSiMe₂)(OSiCl₂)O (3). The treatment of 1 with (t-BuO)₂Si(OH)₂ forms cyclotrisiloxane [Me₂Si(NSiMe₃)₂Si](OSiMe₂)[OSi(Ot-Bu)₂]O (4). Compound 3 is obtained as a crystalline solid while 4 is an oily liquid. The ring size of these new types of cyclotrisiloxanes with three different R₂Si-units is confirmed by cryoscopy in benzene, ²⁹Si NMR chemical shifts and in case of 3, additionally by a single X-ray diffraction study. The different electronegativities of the substituents in the R₂Si-units lead to different bond lengths and bond angles within the Si₃O₃ cycle, which are discussed in detail in the molecular structure of 3.