Solvatochromism, polysilanes

Recently, a very interesting example of solvatochromism was reported by Fujiki and co-workers.206 Poly(methyl-3,3,3-trifluoropropylsilylene), 87, synthesized via Wurtz coupling, showed solvatochromism as a result of weak, non-covalent intramolecular Si- -F-G interactions which rendered the conformation of the polysilane uniquely controllable by solvent choice and molecular weight. UV, shown in Figure 18, photoluminescence, NMR, and viscosity studies on the polymer indicated a 73 helical rod-like conformation at room temperature in non-coordinating solvents (e.g., toluene and decane), since the intramolecular interaction resulted in constraining the chain in a rigid helix. 

The Lewis basicity of the solvents was found to be more important for the solvatochromism than the solvent polarity, since such Si... solvent and Si... F interactions are competitive in the presence of solvents with donor atoms. In contrast, the analogous non-fluorinated polysilane, poly(methyl-/z-propylsilylene), revealed a disordered conformation in both coordinating and non-coordinating solvents. Additionally, the UV spectra of various molecular weight fractions of 87 showed an unusual molecular weight dependency an isosbestic point is apparent, suggesting an equilibrium between globule- and rod-like conformations at room temperature, which was also evident from the... 

Finally, concerning dialkylpolysilanes, it is interesting to note that the solid-state (film) UV spectral profile of the thermochromism exhibited by 49,157 shown in Figure 28, almost exactly matches that of the solvatochromism (see Figure 16 above). This indicates that the before and after conformations are essentially the same and that the reduction of temperature or addition of HFIP are responsible for similar conformational changes in the polymer an abrupt straightening of the polysilane backbone. 

In this chapter, the first section will deal with the complex question of conformations of polysilanes. This will be followed by sections on the chromotropism of polysilanes, beginning with their UV thermochromism. Despite intensive study this phenomenon is still not well understood, and is the subject of important recent findings. Solvatochromism, ionochromism and other types of chromotropic behavior of polysilanes will then be considered. A final brief section will deal with the electrical conductivity of polysilanes, a topic which has not previously been reviewed. 

The dependence of electronic absorption on the solvent, solvatochromism, is not generally found for polysilanes. In (n-HeX2Si)n, for example, the UV absorption is almost... 

---