Reactions with Cyanides and Cyanates

Chloroalkyldisilanes react with cyanides and cyanates to form the expected derivatives. Whether the derivatives are in the n or the i form was investigated in some cases. 

The i form was characterized by IR measurements of a cyanate obtained in the reaction  

The cyanide Si2HsCN obtained in the reaction of Si2H5I with AgCN96) seems to be a mixture of n and i forms with strong association. A Si—Si cleavage occurs 

A four-center mechanism will be assumed in this as in similar reactions. Cyanates are also known  

The i cyanate formed reacts with dry piperidine without cleaving the Si—Si bond  

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