Nanoscale double-core oligosilane dendrimers:: Synthesis, structure, and electronic properties

The novel nanoscale double-core oligosilane dendrimers of formula {[R(Me3Si)(2)SiMe2Si](2)SiMeSiMe2Si(SiMe3)(2)SiMe2}(2) (3a, R = Me; 3b, SiMe3) have been prepared by a new synthetic approach, involving the reaction of KSi(SiMe3)(2)SiMe2SiMe2Si(SiMe3)(2)K with ClMe2SiSiMe[SiMe2Si(SiMe3)(2)R](2) (2a, R = Me; 2b, R = SiMe3). The X-ray studies reveal both molecules to have longest chains of 14 silicon atoms and totals of 28 (3a) and 32 (3b) silicon atoms.