CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of copending United States Application Serial No. 06/727,414, filed April 26, 1985, entitled "METHOD OF PRODUCING POLYSILAZANES."

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to the synthesis of compounds (by which it is intended to include monomers, oligomers and polymers) containing the structure Si-N in the molecule. The invention concerns primarily silazanes which are useful to produce ceramic products on pyrolysis but it also relates to compounds which are siloxazanes and/or other compounds containing the Si-N. group.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Polysilazanes are useful among other things for the preparation of silicon nitride, Si3N4, by pyrolysis. Silicon nitride is a hard material and is useful in forming fibers for reinforcement of composite materials. See, for example, (a) Department of Defense Proceedings. Fourth Metal Matrix Composites Technical Conference, May 19-21, 1981, prepared for DOD Metal Matrix Composites Information Analysis Center and (b) J. J.

^

Brennan, "Program to Study SiC Fiber-Reinforced Glass Matrix Composites, Annual Report to Dept. of Navy (Nov. 1980), Contract No. N00014-78-C-0503.

A number of researchers have developed methods of forming polysilazanes, among them Redl and Rochow, who, in Angew. Chemie. (1964) 7j5, 650 discuss the preparation of polysilazanes by reaction (1)

(1) M:(CH3)2SiNH]-*j —» 4(CH ₃ ) ₂ SiNH3^-

Brewer and Haber, J. Am. Chem. Soc. (1948) 70, 3888 and Osthoff and Kantor, Inorg. Syn. (1957) 5_, 61 teach the reaction (2)

(2) (CH3)2SiCl2 + NH3 > [ (CH3) ₂ SiNH] _n + HC1

More recent work is described- by Markle and others in R. A. Markle, I. Sekerσioglu, D. L. Hill, R. R. Wills, and R. G. Sinclair, "Preparation of Si _x NγC _z Fibers by the Controlled Pyrolysis of Novel Organosilicon Polymeric Precursors", Final Report to NASA, Marshall Flight Center, Alabama, (1981), Contract No. NAS8-33223.

Zoeckler and Laine in J. Org. Chem. (1983) 48, 2539-2541 describe the catalytic activation of the Si-N bond and in particular the ring opening of oσtamethyl tetrasilazane,

and polymerization of the ring-opened intermediate. Chain termination is effected by introducing [ (CH3)3SiJ2NH as a co-reactant giving rise to polymers (013)3 Si-[NHSi(CH3) ₂ 3 _n -NHSi(013)3

where n may be 1 to 12 or more depending upon the ratio of the chain terminator to the cyclic silazane. The catalyst used was RU3(CO)]_2- Other publications are as follows: W. Fink, Helv. Chem. Acta., 49_, 1408 (1966); Belgian Patent 665774 (1965); Netherlands Patent 6,507,996 (1965); D. Y. Zhinkis et. al., Rus. Chem. Rev., 4_9, 2814 (1980) and references 51-58; K. A. Andrianov et. al., Dok Akad. Nauk. SSSR, 222, 352 (1976); Dok Akad. Nauk. SSSR, 223, 347 (1975); L. H. Sommer et. al. , JACS 9l_ _f 7061 (1969); L. H. Sommer, J. Org. Chem. (1967) 3_2_ 2470; L. H. Sommer et. al. , JACS 89ι, 5797 (1967).

The methods described in the literature cited above and elsewhere have resulted in one or more of the following disadvantages: low yields of polysilazanes coincident with a high yield of cyclomers, lack of control over product selectivity or quality, etc. Often the product is volatile and is therefore difficult to pyrolyze if ceramic materials are desired from the solid or liquid polymer, or if it is solid, it is an intractable material which cannot be readily shaped, if indeed it can be shaped at all. The product is likely to be contaminated with halogen, especially chloride and it may be extensively cross linked and insoluble. In addition, the high ratio of Si to N in the polymers leads to formation of silicon along with Si3N4 on pyrolysis. In some instances excess carbon and SiC are also produced although they are not always desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide improved methods of preparing compounds containing the Si-N group.

It is another object to provide methods of preparing compounds containing the Si-N group which permit

selective control of the product.

Another object is to provide methods whereby the product of preparing compounds containing the Si-N group can be controlled during synthesis.

Another object is to provide methods whereby the product of preparing compounds containing the Si-N group can be modified after preparation.

Another object is to provide novel compounds containing the Si-N group.

The above and other objects of the invention will be apparent from the ensuing description and the appended claims.

In accordance with the present invention a precursor containing an Si-N group is caused to undergo cleavage of the Si-N bond or a compound containing the silyl group Si-H is reacted with an -NH group to produce hydrogen and one or more compounds containing an Si-N group.

Both types of reaction are carried out catalytically using a catalyst which is effective to activate the Si-N bond, the Si-H bond or the Si-Si bond.

Catalysts suitable for carrying out these reactions are metal complexes such as those in Table I which are homogeneous catalysts that dissolve in the reactants or in a solvent used to dissolve the reactants. Heterogeneous catalysts such as those in Table II may also be used. In general catalysts that activate the Si-H bond, the Si-N bond, or the Si-Si bond may be used.

The reactions are carried out in solution, the

solvent being the reactants themselves or an added solvent. Suitable solvents are set forth in Table III. Temperature may range from -78° to 250°, preferably 25° to 150°. (All temperatures are Celsius.)

Table 1, Homogeneous Catalysts

H4RU4(CO)i2,RU3(CO) ₁₂ , Fe3(CO) , Rhg(CO)ιg, Cθ2(CO)s (P 3P)2Rh(CO)H, ^ tClg, nickel cyclooctadiene, OS3(CO) ₁₂ , Ir4(CO) ₁₂ , (Ph ₃ P)2lr(CO)H, Pd(OAc) ₂ , Cp2TiCl ₂ ,( h3P)3RhCl, H ₂ OS3(CO) ₁₀ , Pd(Ph ₃ P) ₄ , Fe3(CO)i2/RU3(CO);ι_2 mixtures, also mixtures of metal hydrides.

Table 2, Heterogeneous Catalysts

Pt/C, Pt/BaS0 , Cr, Pd/C, Co/C, Pt black, Co black Pd black, Ir/Al θ3, Pt/Siθ2, Rh/Tiθ2, Rh/La2θ3, Pd/Ag alloy, LaNis, Pt0 ₂ .

Table 3, Solvents

Ethers such as Et ₂ 0, CH3O-CH2CH2OCH3, THF, halocarbons such as CHCI3, CH2CI2, HCICF2, CICH2CH2CI, aromatics such as PhH, PhCH3,Ph-0CH3.

Where the reaction is of the second type (reaction of an Si-H group with an -NH group) the -NH group may be in the form of ammonia, a primary amine RNH2, a secondary amine RRNH (the Rs being the same or different or forming part of a cyclic group), hydrazine, hydrazine derivatives. More generally the source of the -NH group may be described

where the R's may be the same or different and may form

part of a cyclic structure. R is commonly a hydrocarbon group, e.g. alkyl (e.g. methyl, ethyl, etc.), aryl (e.g. phenyl), cycloaliphatic (e.g. cyclohexyl) or aralkyl (e.g. benzyl) and the R's may be the same or different. R may also include an amino group, an alkoxy group, an ether group, an ester group, a silyl group, hydrogen, an alkenyl group, etc. The nitrogen of the -NH group may be present in various forms such as

>NH, -NH-NH-, -N-N-, -N-, -N-R ² -N, -N-R ² -N-, etc. R R R ¹ H H R ³ R ³

where R-**, R ² and R ³ are defined as in R above, R ² being, however, a bivalent group.

The following specific examples will serve to illustrate the practice and advantages of the invention.

Example 1 Reaction of Diethylsilane with Ammonia - ■

To 3.9 mmol (5 ml) of diethylsilane (Et2SiH2) are added 25 μmol of Ru3(C0)i2 ^an< **- ^t - ^αe solution is heated at 135°C under 60 psi of NH3. The reaction is very fast producing oligomers, polymers and H2. The H2 pressure rises to 110 psi and is released every 0.5 hours. The reactor is again charged to 60 psi with NH3. After 1 h all of the Et2SiH2 reacts and no further release of H2 occurs.

Example 1A Reaction of Diethylsilane with Ammonia

To 20.0 mmol of diethylsilane (1.76 g) are added 25 μmol of RU3 ⁽ C0)χ2 ( ^{16 m} 9) ^ant --- ^tne solution is heated at 60°C under approximately 80 psi of NH3. After 1 hour, 85% of the silane is converted to a mixture of oligomers and the pressure increases by 200 psi due to H2 evolution. Although Et2SiH2 disappears totally after 2

1 hours, chain oligomerization and cyclization continue for

2 12 hours. Oligomers of types A (n = 3-5; major) B (n =

3 1-4; major) C (n + n' = 2 or 3), D (n + n ¹ + n" + n*" = 2)

4 are found in the product mixture. Small quantities of

5 other series - H[Et2SiNH] _n H (n = 2-4) and

6 H2N[Et2SiNH] _n H (n = 2) also appear in the solution

9 *-E*Et2SiNH-ιϊ{ H[Et SiNH] _n H 10 11 12 B 13 14

15 r÷Et ₂ SiNH3 _n -SiEt ₂ N-[SiEt2NH3 _n ^* -SiEt2H _j —tSiEt ₂ NH] _n -SiEt2H

-, x. ^■ _ j 16 17

18 C N-CEt ₂ SiNH3 _n '-SiEt2

19 20

21 Si-[NHSiEt23n' '-N—

22

23

24 HEt2Si-[HNSiEt ₂ TrT ^rr

25

26

27 D

28

29

30 Example 2

31

32 To 30 mmol of tetramethyldisilazane (TMDS) are

33 added 25 μmol of Ru3(C0)i2 ^{and the} solution is heated

34 at 135°C under 80 psi of NH3. TMDS disappears totally

35 after 20 h and polymerization continues for 28 h. The

36 polymeric residue (heavy oil) is 2.44 gm (yield 61 wt%)

37 after distillation at 180°/0.3 mm Hg with a Wt average MW

of 764. The major polymeric series is the linear HSi e2[NHSiMe23 _x HSiMe2H. Also smaller branched chain polymers appear. Molecular weights greater than 2000 can be obtained by varying the reaction conditions.

Example 3

To 20 mmol of TMDS are added 25 μmol of RU3(C0)i2 and the solution is heated at 135°C under 100 psi of NH3. The conversion of TMDS is 94% after 1 h. 0.1 g of hydrazine are added and the solution is heated again for 3 hours. The GC shows that most of volatile products disappear. The high polymeric residue is 68 wt% after distillation at 180°/0.3 mm Hg. Similar results are achieved by using 200 mg of 5% Pt/C (activated under H2) using identical conditions. The average molecular weight is 1200.

Example 4

To 75 mmol of TMDS are added 25 μmol of Ru3(C0)i2 and ^tne solution is heated at 135°C under 60 psi of ammonia. The hydrogen pressure produced in the reaction is released every 1 hour and the reactor is charged again with 60 psi of NH3. TMDS disappears after 5 h. The initial-turnover frequency (TF) for TMDS disappearance is 260. The net total turnover number for Si-N bond production is close to 4,480 after 8 hours.

Example 5

To 20 mmol of. tetramethyldisilazane (TMDS) and 20 mmol anhydrous hydrazine (NH2NH2) are added 25 μmol of Ru3(C0)i2 nd the solution is heated at 135°C under nitrogen. All the TMDS disappears after 3 hours and H2 pressure is obtained (TF = 528). The yield of the polymeric residue after distillation of the volatile

of 764. The major polymeric series is the linear HSiMe2tNHSiMe23χNHSi e2H. Also smaller branched chain polymers appear. Molecular weights greater than 2000 can be obtained by varying the reaction conditions.

Example 3

To 20 mmol of TMDS are added 25 μmol of RU3(C0)]_2 and ^tne solution is heated at 135°C under 100 psi of NH3. The conversion of TMDS is 94% after 1 h. 0.1 g of hydrazine are added and the solution is heated again for 3 hours. The GC shows that most of volatile products disappear. The high polymeric residue is 68 wt% after distillation at 180°/0.3 mm Hg. Similar results are achieved by using 200 mg of 5% Pt/C (activated under H2) using identical conditions. The average molecular weight is 1200.

Example 4

To 75 mmol of TMDS are added 25 μmol of RU3(C0)]_2 and the solution is heated at 135°C under 60 psi of ammonia. The hydrogen pressure produced in the reaction is released every 1 hour and the reactor is charged again with 60 psi of NH3. TMDS disappears after 5 h. The initial turnover frequency (TF) for TMDS disappearance is 260. The net total turnover number for Si-N bond production is close to 4,480 after 8 hours.

Example 5

To 20 mmol of tetramethyldisilazane (TMDS) and 20 mmol anhydrous hydrazine (NH2 H2) are added 25 μmol of Ru3(C0)i2 and the solution is heated at 135°C under nitrogen. All the TMDS disappears after 3 hours and H pressure is obtained (TF = 528). The yield of the polymeric residue after distillation of the volatile

products is 75 wt percent. The average molecular weight is 968 .

Example 6 Reaction of n-Hexyl Silane with Ammonia

10 . 0 grams of n-hexyl silane

H I n-hexyl — Si — H

H

and 16 mg of Ru3(C0)*ι_2 as catalyst were heated at 60°C under 150 psi of ammonia in a stainless steel reactor. A pressure of 300 psi is produced during the first hour. The reactor is cooled to room temperature, the pressure is released and the reactor is charged again with 150 psi of ammonia. This procedure is repeated several times. After 1 hour, 68% of the substrate disappears (according to calculations based on NMR analysis) and the reaction slows down. After 17 hours, only 12% of the starting material remains in the oily solution. Only a slight additional conversion is detected when the temperature is raised to 90°C. The addition of another 16 mg of Ru3(CO)i2 promotes further conversion to a viscous material concurrently with the disappearance of hexylsilane. The N.M.R. and the VPO analyses are shown in Table 4.

TABLE 4

Time Form of Conversion Unit's Ratio ¹ (hours) Products (%) Si-H N-H M

1<= light oil 68 1.28 0.72 17C slightly viscous 88 1.18 2.18 9

24 ^d viscous oil 91 1.06 2.20 9

28 ^<a ' ^e very viscous oil 100 0.70 1.84 27

36^, ^e wax 100 0.43 1.83 40

1

Overall conversion was determined by NMR spectra in CDCI3

2 (ppm). For n-hexylsilane: Si-H 3.52 (t, 3); C-H 1.36 (m,

3 and 0.92 (m, 5). For polysilazanes: Si-H 4.78 (m) , 4.57 (

4 and 4.36 (m) ; C-H 1.32 (m) and 0.91 (m); N-H 0.62 (m, br).

5

6

7 -°Si-H and N-H unit ratios are determined by NMR using the

8 hexyl group integration as an internal standard.

9 0 ^c At 60°C.

11

12 ^d At 90°C.

13

, . ^e After addition of 16 mg Ru3(CO) 2

15

16

17 The reaction mixture was analysed by NMR and GC-MS techniques to determine types of polymer. In Table 5

18 possible polymer types I, II, III, IV and V are set-forth

19 with elemental (C, H and N) analysis for each in the upper

20

21 part of the table and actual analyses of the reaction mixture after 24 hours and 36 hours are set forth in the

22 lower part of the table.

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

32

33

34

35

36

37

Certain conclusions may be drawn from Table 5, as follows:

a. The initial conversion is very fast; the initial turnover frequency for silane conversion is 2350 per hour.

b. The polymer at 24 hours contains large quantities of Si-H bonds even when the molecular weights are high. Crosslinking, is therefore prevented, possibly as a result of steric hindrance.

c. At 36 hours the high integration ratio of N-H to C-H strongly suggests that there are significant quantities of the

functional groups. Si-NH2 can also be detected by I.R. (absorbance in 1550 cm" ¹ in CCI4). [ ( H)ι/2 signifies that the NH group is shared with another fragment of the polymer. 3

The GC-MS of the reaction solution shows a series of linear and cyclic oligomers,.with substituents on both the silicon, e.g., [(-N)3 Si-) 3 or nitrogen, e.g., [( - SD3N]. The terminal Si-NH2 unit is not observed in the GC-MS fragmentation patterns.

Referring to Table 5 , the types of repeating units of I through V are set forth below.

n-hex

II

IV

V

-

TABLE 5

Elemental Analysis

Type/hours %C %H %N

I 55.81 11.63 10.85

II 52.94 10.66 15.44

III 50.00 11.11 19.44

IV 59.25 11.93 5.76

V 58.37 11.35 7.57

28 h 54.51 10.95 10.84 36 h 52.54 10.73 12.93

The following conclusions are drawn from Table 5. The actual analyses at 28 hours conform closely to the linear type I polymer.

Example 7 Reaction of Phenyl Silane (CfiH ^* -,SiH- ^* j) with Ammonia

Phenylsilane (10.0 g) and Ru3(CO)i2 ( ^{16 ~~} q ) are -heated at 60°C under 150 psi of ammonia in a stainless steel reactor. The reactor is cooled several times during the reaction to sample and to recharge with ammonia. After 3 hours, 84% of the phenylsilane is converted to oligomers (calculated from NMR data). After 14 hours, the reaction temperature is increased to 90°C and after 18 hours 8 mg RU3(CO)i2 are added to the mixture. Table 6 sums the observations and the results from the NMR and VPO analyses.

TABLE 6

Time Form of Conversion Unit's Ratio (hours) Products (%) Si-H N-H M

3 ^σ slightly viscous 84 1.21 0.98 5 ₉ c slightly viscous 95 1.13 1.32

14 ^c very viscous 98 1.07 1.21 6 18 ^d hard wax 100 0.98 1.03 10 28 ^d ' ^e solid 100 0.47 1.47 32 ^d ' ^e solid 100 0.34 1.70 14

(a)-(d) As in Table 4.

(e) Addition of 8 mg Ru3(CO)i2 and 2 ml of toluene (removed before molecular weight measurements).

The data for the 18 hour sample indicate the formation of linear Type VI polymers (see Table 7) . As additional catalyst is added and the temperature raised, more ammonia is incorporated in the polymer. After 32 h, the elemental and the NMR analyses indicate that the

polymer contains units of types VI, VII, and VIII in the following approximate ratios:

[PhSiHNH3o.36[ 05 VI VII VIII

The polymer containing units VI, VII and VIII is indicated as IX below.

This solid polymer IX after 32 hours is soluble in CCI4, CH2CI2, CHCI3 and toluene. It has a glass transition point at 70-72°C and softens considerable at 90°C. Pyrolysis at 900°C gives a 70% ceramic yield and finally 35% yield when heated to 1550°. Only alpha and beta Si3N4 are observed by X-ray powder diffractometry although the final ceramic product contains 29% carbon (found by elemental analysis).

TABLE 7

Elemental Analysis Type/hours %C %H %N

VI 59.50 5.78 11.57

VII 56.25 5.47 16.40

VIII 52.94 5.88 20.58

18 h 59.37 5.67 11.81 32 h 57.42 5.58 14.21

IX 57.25 5.60 14.97

GC-MS analysis of the mixture after 3 hours of heating reveals that majority of the oligomers (n = 1-3) are type VI; minor products include cyclic compounds, cyclomers with branching on a silane unit and, straight and cyclic compounds branched on the nitrogen. Amine capped polymers are not observed.

Example 8 Reaction of a Hydridosilazane

[H2SiNMe] _x (2.0 g; Mn = 560) and Ru ₃ (CO)!2 (16 mg) are heated under several reaction conditions. The results are shown in Table 8. The starting reactant -[H2SiNMe3 _x - is prepared from H2SiCl2 and H2 in ether solution as reported by Seyferth and Wiseman (Polymer Chem. Div. Preprints; Paper presented at the spring meeting of ACS, April 1984). The products are [H2SiN e]4 and a linear oligomer HNMe[SiH2NMe] _x - H (x is approximately 10).

TABLE 8

Gas Phase Temp. Time Ceramic Yield (%) Run (atm) (-C) (hours) Form of Product (Crystallized form)

H ₂ (1 atm) 60 viscous liquid 68 (Mn-1180; soluble in toluene and CH ₂ C1 ₂ )

H ₂ (1 atm) 135 soft rubber 75

MeNH ₂ (3atm)60 viscous liquid 78 ( α Si ₃ N ₄ ) ^b (Mη = 1200)

NH ₃ (8 atm) 60 hard rubber 85% (Si ₃ N ₄ ; (α > β )

a) Pyrolyzed under N ₂ by ramping the temperature to 900°C in 6 h and then holding for 2 h at 900°C; sintered at 1550-1600°C.

b) Poorly crystallized.

c) Only 8 mg of Ru3(CO)^ ₂ were used,

Example 9 Polymerization of Ethylsilane with Ammonia

Ethylsilane, (EtSiH3, 8 g) is condensed into a stainless steel reactor, containing Ru3(CO)]_2 (16 mg) in 1 ml of toluene, cooled in a dry ice/acetone container. The reactor is then pressurized with 100 psi of ammonia (at -78°C). A total pressure of 250 psi is obtained when the reactor is heated to room temperature. The solution is heated at 60°. The reactor is cooled after 1 hour to room temperature, depressurized (releasing H ), loaded with an additional 150 psi of ammonia and reheated at 60° for an hour then cycled again for 2 hours. The resulting solution (after 4 h) is very viscous. The solvent is evacuated (R.T. , 0.1 mm) and the waxy polymer is heated again at 90° for another 2 hours to form a soft rubber. Pyrolysis of the rubber at between 200 and 900°C gives 58% of ceramic material. The NMR and IR spectra of the polymer produced after 4 hours show the following peaks: NMR (8, CDCl ₃ ):Si-H (4.90-4.40, m) ; CH ₃ (0.95, t) ; N-H (1.0-0.8 br); CH (0.58, q) . (The ratio of the Si-H to the Et-Si and N-H absorbance is 1:24 which suggests that the polymer consists of approximately 30% [EtSiHNH] units and the rest are [Et(NH ₂ )SiNH3 and [Et(NH)Q.sSiNH] ) .

I.R. (cm-l, CH ₂ C1 ₂ ), Si-NH-Si (3385, 1170, 950); Si-NH ₂ (1545); Si-H (2108); Si-Et [1235, 1012).

Example 10 Polysiloxazane

1,1,3,3 tetramethyldisiloxane (5.36 g, 40 mmol (HMe2Si)2θ) and RU3(CO)i2 ( ^{32 <} 3' ⁵⁰ μmmol) are heated at 60°C under NH3 (150 psi). The pressure produced in the reactor is released and the reactor is recharged with NH3 several times. 80% of the disiloxane is converted after 1.5 hours. The reaction is heated continuously for 20 hours.

GC-MS analysis indicates the following pattern:

A = —[Me2SiOMe2SiNH3 _n - (n = 2-5)

B = H-[Me2SiOMe2Si H] _n SiMe2θSiMe ₂ H (n = 1-6)

A 70% yield is obtained after high vacuum distillation (180°C/0.5 mm). A ₂ is isolated as solid (white crystals, mp. 37°, a single NMR absorbtion at 0.12 ppm. The residue is a viscous oil with Mn = 5690 daltons.

Elemental analysis: %C %H %N S_ 0

Polymer B 32.65 8.84 9.52 38.10 10.88 Found 32.67 9.10 8.56 41.89 7.02

This is an example of preparing a polysiloxazane

and these polysiloxazanes are believed to be novel

compositions of matter. R may be hydrogen or an organic group (defined as above following Table 3). The nitrogen may be substituted, e.g. by an organic group R. The subscript n may have various values.

Example 11 Reaction of Octamethylcyclotetrasilazane

Octamethylcyclotetrasilazane, referred to as 1_, was reacted under various conditions with (+) and without (-) [ (CH3)3Si]2 H and with various catalysts. Results are set forth in Table 9.

TABLE 9

YIELD OF OLIGOMERS AND POLYMERS

Yie ^■ Id (% Weight)£

Run^- Catalyst [(CH ₃ ) _λ Si ] ₂ NH II Conv. ( % ) _ 01igo ers Polymers M.W.

1 H ₂ S0 ₄ 46 33 10 783

2 H ₂ S0 ₄ + 46 18 33 587

3 Ru ₃ (CO) ₁₂ /H ₂ - 74 54 18 2551

4 Ru ₃ (CO) ₁₂ /H ₂ + 68 28 44 697

5 Pt/C ^• - 62 22 34 1080

6 Pt/C + 71 28 45 784

^a The same conditions as shown in Table 10. The reactions were carried without internal standard and the analyses were made according to the distillation of the solutions.

^D The conversion measurement is due to the amount of JL in the end of the reaction. ^c Yield is in weight percentage due to the total weight of the solution. The oligomer fraction also contains the disilazane e Si NH which remains.

In the Ru3(CO)ι and H S0 ₄ catalysis the conversion of 1_ was higher in the absence of [ (CH3)3Si] ₂ NH although, in all three catalytic methods, the total weight of polymers obtained is greater when [ (CH3)3Si32 ^{NH is} added. One must consider the fact that the catalyst also attacks the disilazane Si-N bonds, so the total turnover number for breaking these bonds is greater when [ (CH3)3Si32NH is used.

The average molecular weight analyses show that in spite of the higher yield of polymers there is a decrease in the molecular weight when the capping agent is used. This process can be improved by using higher ratios of 1_ to [(CH ₃ )3Si32NH.

The above results strongly suggest that the catalytic reaction approaches an equilibrium. When the reaction, catalyzed by H2SO4, is run until an equilibrium is achieved and then another equivalent of acid is added, no further reaction is observed.

The volatile oligomers fractions isolated by distillation, when reacted again with the catalyst, produced additional amounts of polymers. The same series of reactions shown in Table 9 are run with hexamethylcyclotrisilazane ( 2 ) instead of 1_ as the starting material. All of them are reactive, producing the same oligomers and polymers, including 1.. That is to say, an equilibrium results and selective separation of products from the equilibrium mixture can be carried out. For example the 1^ ^{^} -2. equilibrium mixture may be distilled, thereby removing the lower boiling components including 2. and driving the reaction to the right.

GC-MS Analysis

Identification of polymer types produced in the reactions described in Table 9, were performed by GC-MS. This method is limited to polymers with molecular weights less than 1000. We have observed types A and B in reaction (1_). B is the major product in run 4 (n = 1-8) and A

[-Me2SiNH-] _n Me3SiNH[Me SiNH3 _n -SiMe3

A B

appears in small quantities (n = 3-7). Another set of polymers observed in even smaller quantities are C (n + n ¹ ■ = 2.7) and D (n + n' + n' ' + n' ' ' = 2 - 6) . C and D are crosslinked through nitrogen groups.

-[SiNH] _n -SiN-[SiNH] _n r—Si=

C D

ove . Si signifies -SiMe ₂ - 4-vdf =

f the high molecular weight no significant products could be detected by the GC-MS. Most likely there are more crosslinks from this run which also explains the high molecular weight. Run 6 shows the same types as the parallel reaction with Ru3(CO)i2 -° ^ut ^e quantities of C and D are larger. The Pt/C catalysis without the capping agent gives series A and other quantitive series E, F that indicate bi-and tri-cyσlo crosslinked compounds.

E

F contains another ring. In E, ^otal (l« ^e « n + n' + n") = 5-8; in F, n _to tal = ^8_9 -

The polymers produced by H2SO4 catalysis contains types A (n = 5,6), B (n = 2-8; major products), and C(n = 2-5) in run 2 and A (n = 5-9) in run 4. In both cases the GC-MS analyses show an amount of oxygenated products in which oxygen replaced amine groups.

Example 12

To 1.8 gr polydimethylsilylhydrazine [Me2SiNHNH] _x prepared as follows:

(CH3)2SiCl2 + NH2NH2 > t(CH ₃ )2 SiNHNH] _n + NH2NH3CI

(average MW 1130) dissolved in 5 ml of toluene are added 25 μmol of Ru3(CO)-]_2 and the solution is heated at 135°C under hydrogen. The clear solution turns cloudy and viscous (at room temperature). 1.3 g of a soft solid product is obtained after distillation of the volatile products and solvent at 180°/0.3 mm Hg. The solid has a Wt average MW 1220 and starts to soften at 60°C. The same treatment for the starting material in the absence of catalyst gives a slightly cloudy solution at room temperature (clear during heating). The Wt average MW decreases to 612. The product is a solid after distillation and does not soften up to 250°C.

Example 13

Octamethylcyclotetrasilazane 1 is reacted with [ (CH3)3Si32 ^NH r.n the presence of various catalysts. The reaction conditions, catalysts and results are set forth in Table 10.

TABLE 10

Decompositi Run Catalyst Temp (£C) Time (h) Conversion (%) of Catalyst

2 Ru ₃ (CO) ₁₂ 180 15 80 m 3 Ru ₃ (CO) ₁₂ /H ₂ 135 1 78 — 4 Ru ₃ (C0)ι ₂ /H ₂ 0 135 3 33 s 5 Ru ₃ (CO) ₁₂ /Fe(CO)5 135 6 26 s 6 Ru3(CO) ₁₂ /Fe ₃ (CO) _] L2 135 3 80 s

Fe ₃ (C0)χ ₂ 135 — — — 8 Fe ₃ (GO) ₁₂ H ₂ 135 3 80 f 9 Os (CO)i2 135 — — — 10 Os ₃ (CO) ₁₂ 180 20 78 — 11 Os ₃ (CO) ₁₂ /H ₂ 135 6 73 — 13 Rh ₆ (CO) ₁₆ 135 20 55 S 14 Rh ₆ (CO) ₁₆ /H ₂ 135 3 78 g 15 Ir ₄ (CO) ₁₂ 135 — — — 16 Ir ₄ (CO) ₁₂ 180 15 70 m 1 ^Ir 4(C0)12/ ^H 2 135 3 76 f 18 Pt/C 135 3 75 — 19 Pt0 ₂ 180 15 25 — 20 Pd/C 135 3 78 —

>

Comments on Table 10 are as follows: The molar ratio of 9_, the silazane [ (CH3)3Si32 ^N H and catalyst was 250:84:1. The reaction was carried out under hydrogen where indicated, as in Run No. 3, or water in Run No. 4, otherwise under nitrogen. The hydrogen was at 1 atmosphere pressure. The time figures indicate the shortest time in which there was no further conversion of 1_. Butyl ether was used as an internal standard for gas chromatographic analysis. In the decomposition of catalyst column, "s" means slow, "m" means moderate and "f" means fast. In Run No. 4 the ratio of RU3(CO)i2 ^{to H} 2° ^was l: -- In Run No. 18, 200 mg of 5% Pt/C are used and in Run No. 20, 150 mg of 5% Pd/C are used with 4.15 grams of :L.

it will be seen that in the presence of hydrogen (Runs No. 3, 8, 11, 14 and 17) the reaction was much faster and gave significantly higher yields than in comparable runs with nitrogen. The mixed catalyst in Run No. 6 resulted in a fast reaction and a high yield even in the absence of hydrogen. In Run No. 12 a nitrogen atmosphere is used. The reaction rate and yield are comparable to Run No. 11 where a hydrogen atmosphere is used, because of the presence of hydrogen in the complex. In Runs Nos. 7, 9 and 15 no appreciable reaction occurred.

Example 14 Reaction of Hexamethylcyclotrisilazane with Ammonia and Hydrogen

A reactor loaded with hexamethylcyclotrisilazane, 2_, (4.4 g) and Ru3(CO)i2 (16 mg) is pressurized with NH ₃ (150 psi) and H ₂ (150 psi), then heated at 135°C for 18 hours. The cyclotrimer is converted in 84% yield to form two major series of products-cyclomers (A; n = 4-13) and branched cyclomers (B; n = 1-6) analyzed by GC-MS.

L+Me ₂ SiNH*hτ ^J

A _B

Example 15 Copolymerization of Phenylsilane and 1,1,3,3,-tetramethyldisilazane

To a mixture of phenylsilane (4.32 g, 40 mmol) and l,l,3,3,tetramethyldisilazane (5.32 g, 40 mmol) is added RU3(CO)i2 (16 mg, 25 μmol). The solution is heated at 60° under 150 psi of ammonia. After 5 h, the GC shows high boiling products and the loss of 95% of the starting materials. After 8 hours the reaction temperature is increased to 90°C and after another 2 hours to 135°C. The reaction run for 30 hours. The final result is a viscous oil consisting of a mixture of products. Very

3c

little comes off the gσ at this point which indicates high molecular weight products. Evaporation of the remaining volatile products (230°/2 mm) leaves a waxy residue. IR, NMR and GC/MS of this product are taken to examine the copolymerization between the two starting substrates. An Si-H bond appears clearly in the IR spectrum but it cannot be observed in the NMR spectrum which is analytically less sensitive. The elemental analysis and the NMR integration suggest that the copolymer contains the following average structure.

[PhSiHNH3ι.3[Me ₂ SiNH32 X

Elemental analysis:

C H N Si

Calculated for X: 46 . 69 7 61 15 23 30 44 Found : 46 . 45 7 05 15 . 91 30 . 88

Example 16 Reaction Between Hexamethylcyclotrisilazane and Diethylsilane

15 mg (25 μmol) of RU3(CO)-]_2 are added to 2.19 g (10 mmol) of hexamethylcyclotrisilane (-[Me2SiNH33-) and 0.88 g (10 mmol) of diethylsilane (Et2SiH2) and the solution is heated at 135°C for 20 h. N-diethylsilane-hexamethylcyclotrisilazane

is the major product (3.7 mmol) identified by GC-MS and NMR. Other minor products are (HEt2Si)2NH and N-dimethylsilane-hexamethylcyσlotrisilazane. A residue of 28% yield remains after evaporation at 180°C (0.5 mm). The N-diethylsilyl-cyclotrisilazane is isolated by distillation and identified by GC-MS and NMR.

Example 17 Reaction of 1,2,3,4,5,6 Hexamethylcyclotrisilazane with Ammonia

To 4.39 gr of l+MeSiH-NMe-j-Tf are added 16 mg of Ru3(CO)χ2 and the solution is heated under 150 psi of ammonia at 60°C. The reactant disappears after 5 hours. The reactor is again charged with ammonia and heated again at 90° for 33 hours. The product is a viscous oil having Mn = 691 which gives 57% yield of ceramic material. GC-MS analysis of the oligomeric fraction indicates the substitution of Si-H groups by Si-NH groups together the substitution of N-Me groups by N-H in the cyclomeric structure.

Example 18 Polymerization of Tetramethyldisilazane in the Presence of Ammonia

(a) To 100.0 mmol of TMDS (13.3 g) are added 50.0 μmol of Ru3(CO)*]_2 (32.0 mg) and the solution is heated under ammonia under various reaction conditions as noted in Table 11. The volatile oligomers were separated from the solution by vacuum distillation (up to 180°/300 μ ) . The residue is the nonvolatile fraction.

Our initial evaluation of this reaction, using either the homogeneous ruthenium catalyst or activated Pt/C gives cyclomers (n=3-7), linear oligomers, n=2-ll), and very small amounts of branched oligomers, (n=l-7 <5%) as evidenced by the GC-MS analyses.

TABLE 11

THE EFFECTS OF TEMPERATURE AND AMMONIA PRESSURE

ON PRODUCT SELECTIVITY IN THE REACTION TMDS WITH NH ₃

IN THE PRESENCE OF Ru ₃ (CO) ₁₂

Yield of Cyclomers

Turnover in the volatile Frequency fraction (%) Nonvolatile

Temp. Time ^a TMDS Si-H Oligomer Ave. M.W.

Run NH ( c) (Hours) Conversion Disappearance Total Tricyclomer Yield (%) (Mn)

1 1 60 66 640 1000 39 25 19 1297

2 1 90 60 720 1160 34 18 21 1006

3 13 60 12 1220 1300 88 69 19 2024

4 13 90 8 1960 3438 91 70 5 1425

^a At these reaction times, the catalyst is still active but the rate of reaction is considerably reduced because of the low Si-H bond concentration.

"TF (mol substate/mol cat/h) based on initial rates, determined by GC (TMDS conversion) and NMR integration (Si-H signal disappearance) referenced to the CH ₃ -Si signals.

GENERAL DISCUSSION

It will be apparent that two general types of reaction occur. In type (a) (cleavage of an Si-N bond, illustrated by Examples 11-14) a ring is opened at an Si-N group to separate the silicon and nitrogen (or an open chain is cleaved at an Si-N group) and the resulting fragment or fragments react with one another and/or with a reactant such as ammonia, an amine, hydrogen, etc. The immediate reaction products will undergo further reaction, which may comprise the second type of reaction (see below).

In type (b) reaction (reaction of Si-H with a nitrogen compound HNRR) a compound Si-NRR results as the immediate product and will undergo further reaction with siH or with the products of reaction or with an added reactant. The R's, which may be the same or different and which may be parts of a cyclic structure, are as defined above.

in the type (b) reaction the Si-H reactant may be silane itself, SiH4. Also in the type (b) reaction where the silazane

is reacted with H ₂ NR the disilazane

R RN—Si—N—R H R H

which is a new compound, results (R defined as above). Where TMDS is reacted with ammonia the resulting product is

where x is greater than unity. The product is a mixture.

It will be apparent that cleavage of an Si-N group or reaction of Si-H with H-N usually leads to successive reactions which may be cleavage [type (a) 3 or Si-H + H-N [type (b)] reactions or a mix of both types of reactions. It should also be noted that Si-Si bonds are cleaved under many of the reaction conditions described above resulting in Si-H groups which undergo reaction with H-N groups.

. It will therefore be apparent that new and useful methods of preparing oligomers and polymers having Si-N groups have been provided as have new and useful compositions of matter.

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