Highly Heat and Oxidation-Resistant Materials Prepared Using Silicon- Containing Thermosetting Polymers with [Si(H)~C C] Units

Highly heat and oxidation-resistant materials prepared using the silicon-containing thermosetting polymer, poly[(phenylsilylene)ethynylene-1,3-phenyleneethynylene] [-Si(Ph)(H)-C C-C6H4-C C-] are summarized. This polymer is light, moldable, soluble in solvent, and highly heat resistant. It is prepared by the dehydrogenative cross-coupling reaction of the Si-H bond of phenylsilane and the C-H bond of 1,3-diethynylbenzene in the presence of base catalysts. Applications of the polymer to particularly composite and ceramic materials are reviewed. Other polymers with molecules containing [Si(H)~C C] units are discussed. The chemistry and possible applications of the [Si(H)~C C] unit are also