New, Effective Method of Synthesis and Structural Characterization of Octakis(3-chloropropyl)octasilsesquioxane

Our new synthesis of octakis(3-chloropropyl)octasilsesquioxane (1) is based on a two-stage hydrolytic condensation of 3-chloropropyltrimethoxysilane. This enables the selective formation of the desired product more rapidly (4 days), in comparison to methods used to date (5 weeks), while the yield (35%) is comparable. The process is conducted in methanolic solution, with the first stage being acid hydrolysis and the second stage condensation in the presence of di-n-butyltin dilaurate as a catalyst.