Synthesis and electrochemistry of remotely thioether-functionalized disilenes

Abstract

We report the synthesis of p-methylthio-functionalized disilenes with (oligo)phenylene-linkers of different sizes between the thiomethyl group and the Si=Si moiety. 29Si NMR and UV/vis data suggests that the linker-size affects the Si=Si moiety only moderately. Cyclic voltammetry reveals an increasing number of reduction events with the number of phenylene rings, which are therefore clearly associated to the oligo(phenylene) linking unit. The exchange current density of the oxidation and reduction reactions as determined by linear sweep voltammetry with a rotating disc electrode also shows significant differences between the prepared disilenes.