Photolysis of (Me2Si)6 in argon matrices doped with high concentrations (ca. 20%) of N2O or C2H4O: formation of (Me2SiO)6

Irradiation using a low pressure mercury lamp (λ=ca. 250 nm) of argon matrices containing ca. 1% (Me2Si)6 and ca. 20% ethylene oxide (C2H4O) or nitrous oxide (N2O) for a period of ca. 20 h leads to the formation of the cyclic compound (Me2SiO)6. This has a 12-membered ring with alternating Si and O atoms. It is identified by comparison of its infrared spectrum with a spectrum of an authentic sample. The reaction appears to proceed by stepwise insertion of O atoms into SiSi bonds.