Metallation of poly(1-trimethylsilyl-1-prop-1-yne) and poly(vinyltrimethylsilane) with superbases

The pathway and degree of metallation of polymers were studied depending on the the conditions (temperature, concentration, nature, and component ratio) of metallation of poly(1-trimethylsilylprop-1-yne) (PTMSP) and poly(vinyltrimethylsilane) (PVTMS) by superbases, viz., BuⁿLi and Bu^sLi, in combination with potassium tert-pentyl oxide (Pe^tOK). For the BuⁿLi—Pe^tOK system (1 : 3), the yield of modified PTMSP reached 90%. In the case of PTMSP, only the Me groups at the double bonds and at the Si atoms undergo metallation, whereas only the Me groups at the Si atoms are metallated in PVTMS. The kinetics of metallation with the BuⁿLi—Pe^tOK system was studied.