Synthesis and properties of poly(silylenephenylenevinylene)s

Polymerization of o-, m-, and p-(dimethylsilyl)phenylacetylene by chloroplatinic acid-catalyzed hydrosilylation gave the corresponding poly(dimethylsilylenephenylenevinylene)s. The monomer reactivity and polymer structure were very much dependent upon the substituent position. Interesting optical behavior and thermal properties were observed which suggested the polymers to be useful as preceramic materials. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 2263–2273, 1999