Synthesis and monomer reactivity ratio of cobalt-containing hybrid polysilanes

Dichloromethylsilylcobaltcarbonyl (DCMSC) was synthesized by the reaction of dichloromethylsilane (DCMS) with dicobaltoctacarbonyl (DCOC) and used to prepare metal‐containing polysilanes. Copolymers of DCMSC with dichlorodimethyl‐ (DCDMS), dichlorodiethyl‐ (DCDES), dichloromethylphenyl‐ (DCMPS) silane were obtained using reductive coupling polymerization. The molecular weight of the copolymers increased regularly in the initial stage of the reaction but approached equilibrium values as the reaction proceeded. Depending on the monomer reactivity ratios, copolymers 2, 3 and 4 could have either alternating or block‐like copolymer structures. Increasing amounts of carbons in the side‐chain of the copolymers leads to block‐like composition. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry