Polycondensation of methylphenylsilanes and cyclodisilazanes in the presence of metallic potassium

It was found that polycondensation of methyltriphenylsilane, N,N′-bis-(trimethylsilyl) dimethyldiphenylcyclodisilazane and N,N′-bis-(trimethylsilyl)tetraphenylcyclodisilazane in the presence of catalytic amounts (1–2%) of metallic potassium takes place with the liberation of hydrocarbons and the formation of oligomers and polymers. It was found that it is accompanied by radical reactions of regrouping cyclodisilazane fragments. A mechanism was proposed for the initiation of various radical reactions taking place during polycondensation.