Chemical modification of poly(vinyltrimethylsilane) and poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne) using highly reactive metallating systems

Poly(vinyltrimethylsilane) and poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne) are metallated using normal and secondary butyllithium chelate complexes with tetramethylethylenediamine and superbases based on complexes of normal and secondary butyllithium with potassium tert-pentoxide as metallating agents. Optimal conditions ensuring metallation of poly(vinyltrimethylsilane) and poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne) with a high yield without degradation of macrochains are determined. Poly(vinyltrimethylsilane) and poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne) are functionalized via reactions of metallated polymers with CO₂, trimethylsilyl chlorosulfone, diethyl disulfide, and ethylene oxide. COOH, SO₃H, OH, and thioester groups are introduced into poly(vinyltrimethylsilane), and SO₃H and COOH groups are incorporated into poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne). Upon introduction of carboxyl groups into poly(vinyltrimethylsilane), its hydrophilicity and permselectivity with respect to H₂O/N₂, H₂O/H₂, and H₂O/CH₄ pairs increase. The introduction of SO₃H groups into poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-propyne) and poly(vinyltrimethylsilane) leads to the appearance of proton conductivity of these polymers.