Synthesis of new polysilane–crown ether

This paper presents the synthesis of new polysilane with pendant crown ether groups. The polymer was obtained through the addition reaction of 4′-allylbenzo-15-crown-5 to poly[methyl(H)-co-methylphenylsilane] copolymer in anhydrous toluene solution using hexachloroplatinic acid as a catalyst. The allyl functionalization of the crown ether was achieved by the coupling of the crown ether bromide with allyl magnesium chloride. The availability of the crown ether sites in complexation reactions with Cu(II) cations was tested. The chemical structures of all products and intermediates were studied using spectral methods (IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, UV), gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).