Silicon Chalcogenide Cage Compounds: New Structures Derived from the Bicyclic Silicon(I) Ring Compound Si4{N(SiMe3)Mes}4

Quest M.; Hepp A.; Daniliuc C.G.; Lips F.

Abstract

The bicyclic silicon(I) ring compound Si4{N(SiMe3)Mes}4 (2) was used as starting material in reactions with chalcogens and chalcogen transfer agents at low temperatures. This resulted in the selective formation of new cage compounds. With Me3NO, a silicon oxide with adamantane-type cage 3 was isolated that represents the first isolated T4 silsesquioxane. Reactions with propylenesulfide and red selenium gave direct access to defect heterocubane-type cages 4 and 5 with three Si−Si bonds wherein the silicon atoms adopt different low oxidation states of +I and +III. A reaction with elemental tellurium even occurs below room temperature to provide ditelluro−tetrasila−tricyclohexane 6.