Synthesis and photodegradation of poly[1,4-bis(dimethylsilyl)naphthalene]

Summary Poly[1,4-bis(dimethylsilyl)naphthalene](I), a copolymer with alternating 1,4-naphthalene and disilyl units, has been prepared by the Wurtz coupling of 1,4-bis(dimethylchlorosilyl) naphthalene (II) or 1,4-bis(dimethylfluorosilyl)naphthalene (III) with sodium metal dispersion in toluene. The molecular weight distribution of I prepared from III is significantly higher than when I is prepared from II. I has been characterized by ¹H, ¹³C and ²⁹Si NMR, IR, UV, GPC, TGA and elemental analysis. Photolysis of I in benzene/methanol solution results in rapid degradation of I.