Synthesis and Characterization of Low-Functional Nitrated and Aminated Octa(Phenyl) Silsesquioxane

Nitrated octa(phenyl)silsesquioxane (NO ₂ -OPS) with different functional groups was prepared from octa(phenyl)silsesquioxane. The number of nitro functional groups was controlled by adjusting the nitration-reaction conditions. The chemical structure of the NO ₂ -OPS was characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, elemental analysis and gel-permeation chromatography. The functionalities of the NO ₂ -OPS can be controlled between two and eight. The laws of the reaction conditions that affect the functionality were determined by studying the nitration mechanism. Low-functional aminated octa(phenyl)silsesquioxane (NH ₂ -OPS) was synthesized by an active hydrogen-transfer reduction reaction and the chemical structure of the functionalities was maintained. The chemical structure of the NH ₂ -OPS was characterized by ¹ H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometry and ultra-performance liquid chromatography, and the thermal stability of the products with different functionalities was examined. The low-functionality NH ₂ -OPS has a concentrated molecular-weight distribution and an excellent thermal stability, which provide good potential for its application in polymers.