Synthesis, characterization, and some metal complexes of bis(isocyanide)disiloxane, showing catalytic activity

Isocyanides (isonitriles) are unique organic compounds that contain a formally divalent carbon. Herein, the synthesis of 1,3-bis(isocyanopropyl)tetramethyldisiloxane was performed by a modified carbylamine method, using a phase transfer agent. Spectral methods (nuclear magnetic resonance [NMR], Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy [FT-IR], and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry [ESI-MS]) were used to confirm the structure. Energy gap of 1.86 eV (measured by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy [DRS]), high dielectric permittivity (15 at 10 kHz), and conductivity value in the order of 10(-7) S center dot cm(-1) place this compound in the range of wide-bandgap semiconductors. The synthesis of Pt, Ag, and Fe metal complexes without organic co-ligands and their catalytic activity were also investigated. The Pt complex was active in hydrosilylation reaction and in reduction of p-nitrophenol, whereas the Ag complex was found effective in alkaline decomposition of hydrogen peroxide. The Fe complex is a new and cheap heterogeneous hydrosilylation catalyst and also showed very good catalytic behavior in heterogeneous Fenton-like photodecomposition of Congo Red in various photo-irradiation conditions, with 100% color removal efficiency after 60 min under sunlight. Thus, a simple path for siloxane-containing materials with promising applications is open.