Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Gudrun E Koppetsch

Dietmar Seyferth

Yuan-Fu Yu

A method of forming preceramic polymers by mixing (A) an organic polysilane, preferably either a methylpolysilane of the formula [(RSiH).sub.x (RSi).sub.y ].sub.n, (where R is a lower alkyl group having from 1 to about 6 carbon atoms, a cycloalkyl group having from 3 to about 6 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted lower aryl group having from 6 to about 10 carbon atoms, a tri(lower)alkyl- or di(lower)alkylsilyl group x+y=1, (x and y are each &gt;0 and also x=1, y=0), and n is an integer greater than 1) or a polycarbosilane having repeat units of the formula [R.sup.a Si(H)--(CH.sub.2).sub.q ], [R.sup.a Si(H)--CH.dbd.CH], and [R.sup.a Si(H)--C.tbd.C] (where R.sup.a is H, a lower alkyl group having from 1 to about 6 carbon atoms, a cycloalkyl group having from 3 to about 6 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted lower aryl group having from 6 to about 10 carbon atoms, q is an integer 1 or greater), with (B) an organic or organisilicon compound having at least two alkenyl groups and allowing the mixture to react is disclosed. Preferably, the alkenyl group is a vinyl group. The reaction is preferably initiated by the generation of reactive free radicals. Novel preceramic polymers formed by this method are also disclosed.

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Arlington, MA, United States of America

Gudrun E Koppetsch