Chemistry and spectroscopy of substituted polysilanes: conformational thermo and solvatochromism

A review is presented of polysilane chemistry. Specific emphasis is placed on conformational thermo and solvatochromism. Experimental data show that neighboring substituent interactions determine the backbone conformation for alkyl substitution and result in a destabilization of the planar zigzag form in the absence of significant intramolecular interactions. For peraryl-substituted polymers, this unfavorable steric interaction is relieved. However, subtle dipolar effects can alter the delicate conformational balance.