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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 21 February 2011
Poly(methylsilane) and poly(vinylsilane) were synthesized using a titanocenecatalyst, and their pyrolytic conversion to ceramics was followed using acombination of thermal analysis and infrared spectroscopy. The two polymershave distinctly different backbone structures, as determined by 29Si NMR; methylsilane polymerizes to a polysilane, whilevinylsilane polymers have a predominately polycarbosilane backbone, withsome polysilane structure as well. The pyrolysis path and char yield weredependent primarily on backbone structure, with little influence of polymermolecular weight. The majority of the weight loss on conversion occurs below650 °C, although bond rearrangement continues to 1400 °C. Poly(vinylsilane)produced a C-rich Si-C ceramic in which the carbon was dispersed on asufficiently fine level to show resistance to oxidation on heating in air to1400 °C.