Hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDSO) is an organosilicon compound with the molecular formula O [Si (CH3) 3] 2. The volatile colorless liquid is used as a solvent and reagent in organic synthesis. It is prepared by hydrolysis of trimethylsilyl chloride. This...MásHexamethyldisiloxane (HMDSO) is an organosilicon compound with the molecular formula O [Si (CH3) 3] 2. The volatile colorless liquid is used as a solvent and reagent in organic synthesis. It is prepared by hydrolysis of trimethylsilyl chloride. This molecule is a typical disiloxane, similar to the subunits of polydimethylsiloxane.
Hexamethyldisiloxane can be prepared by hydrolysis of trimethylsilyl chloride:
2 Me3SiCl + H2O → 2 HCl + O [Si (CH3) 3] 2
It is also produced by the hydrolysis of silyl ether and other silyl-protected functional groups. HMDSO can be converted back to chloride by reaction with Me2SiCl2.
Hexamethyldisiloxane is mainly used as a source of trimethylsilyl functional groups (-Si (CH3) 3) in organic synthesis. For example, in the presence of an acid catalyst, it converts alcohol and carboxylic acid to silyl ether and silyl ester, respectively.
It reacts with oxidized rh (VII) to form silicate complex: