Poly(methylsilyne)

Poly(methylsilyne) (PMSy) is one type of polysilyne, a class of silicon-based random network polymers primarily composed of tetrahedrally hybridized silicon atoms, each having one methyl substituent, exhibiting the generic formula [MeSi]n. PMSy is made from methyltrichlorosilane by means of alkali metal reduction followed by alkylation. At room temperature, poly(methylsilyne) is a dark yellow powder. It can be easily dissolved in a number of solvents (tetrahydrofuran, ether, toluene etc.), forming a colloidal suspension that is clear and non-viscous, which may then be deposited as a film or coating on various substrates. Upon thermolysis in argon at atmospheric pressure to 3 atmospheres and temperatures of 200 °C to 450 °C, decomposition of poly(methylsilyne) results in silicon carbide.

Poly(methylsilyne)
Formula	[MeSi]n
Molecular mass	200,000 to 100 million Daltons
Melting point	decomposes @ 200°C
Boiling point	N/A
Density	??.?? g/cm3
CAS number	???-??-?
SMILES	???????

The novelty of PMSy (and its related polymer poly(hydridocarbyne)) is that the polymer may be readily fabricated into various forms (e.g. films, fibers, plates) and then thermolyzed into a final silicon carbide ceramic.