Visible light-activated hydrosilation reaction

• The presence of a suitable sensitizer allows the visible light-activated hydrosilation reaction.
• The curing is able to proceed in the dark after the irradiation (post-curing).
• Thick samples can be achieved by short irradiation time leading to energy and time saving.

The synthesis of silicon compounds is usually performed by vulcanization at high temperatures in the presence of a platinum catalyst. The activation can also be achieved by UV light irradiation. When a suitable sensitizer is added to the formulation, the reaction can be triggered by lower wavelengths (in the visible spectra). In this way, both energy saving and greater safety are carried out. In the present paper, the reactivity of the trimethyl(methylcyclopentadienyl)-platinum(IV) catalyst (Me-Cp)Pt(Me)3 was investigated under visible light activation (380–515 nm) in the presence of different amount of 2-chlorothioxanthen-9-one (CTX) sensitizer. A proceeding of the curing after the irradiation was also observed leading to the formation of thick samples after short period of irradiation. The properties of the cured material were compared to those obtained by UV light activation.

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