title: Chloride surface terminated silicon nanocrystal mediated synthesis of poly(3-hexylthiophene).
abstract: Abundant and environmentally benign metal-free silicon-based reagents, including chloride surface-terminated silicon nanocrystals (Cl-SiNCs) and silicon wafers as well as molecular chlorosilanes, were explored as catalysts for the synthesis of poly-3-hexylthiophene (P3HT) at room temperature. Cl-SiNC catalysts exhibit the highest activity of those investigated, and systems based upon single-crystal silicon wafers provide convenient, straightforward purification. The as-prepared P3HT exhibits moderate molecular weights and bears H/Br or Br/Br end groups; these properties will allow direct application and also facilitate their use as macroinitiators in the syntheses of block and/or telechelic polymers. The silicon-based systems are expected to provide an efficient metal-free catalytic preparation of functional polymers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta , 11227 Saskatchewan Drive, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2G2.
authors.forename: Muhammad Amirul
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Islam
authors.forename: Tapas K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Purkait
authors.forename: Jonathan G C
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Veinot