Progress in organic polysilanes interrupted by oxygen

A novel type of organosilicone polymers, polysilane interrupted by oxygen in the skeleton regularly is introduced. The synthetic methods and properties of these new polymers are summarized. Since their structure is a hybrid of polysilane and polysiloxane, the knowledge about the behavior of these polymers permits us a deeper understanding of the chemistry of polysiloxanes and polysilanes. Two general synthetic methods of these polymers, including the polycondensation of alpha, omega-functionalized linear oligosilanes and the ring opening polymerization of cyclic silaethers, as well as mechanism and equilibria of the ring-opening polymerization of (SiMe2O)(2), are discussed. Attention is also devoted to characterization, thermal properties and morphology. The prospective applications of these polysilanes are also discussed.