Phenylsilanetriol — synthesis, stability, and reactivity

Crystalline phenylsilanetriol, PhSi(OH)3 (1) was obtained by smooth hydrolysis of phenyltrimethoxysilane and characterised by different analytical methods (wide angle X-ray powder diffraction, NMR, IR, thermogravimetric analysis). The title-compound is surprisingly stable in the solid state but slowly condenses in acetone solution. Reaction of 1 with Me3SiCl and Me2(CH2Cl)SiCl gave the corresponding tris-triorganylsiloxy substituted derivatives in high yields.