Synthesis of organosilicon polymers by using the Lewis-acid-catalyzed trans-allylsilylation of alkynes

The HfCl4 catalyzed polymerization of allyl(4-ethynylphenyl)dimethylsilane (1a) proceeded smoothly to give poly[dimethyl-(1,4-pentadienyl)phenylsilane] (2a), and the HfCl4 catalyzed reaction of 1-allyl-2-(4-ethynyphenyl)-1,1,2,2-tetramethyldisilane (1b) afforded poly[1,1,2,2-tetramethyl-1-(1,4-pentadienyl)-2-phenyldisilane] (2b). These polymerization reactions proceeded via the stereoselective trans-allylsilylation of the 4-ethynyl group attached to the aromatic ring.