Siloranes

Siloranes are a class of organosilicon compounds characterized by the presence of a silicon-oxygen-carbon linkage. This structural motif, a siloxane bond directly attached to a carbon atom, distinguishes them from other organosilicon compounds like siloxanes (which have Si-O-Si linkages) or carboranes (which contain boron and carbon). The general formula for a silorane can be represented as R3Si-O-CR'R''R''', where R represents organic substituents on silicon and R', R'', and R''' are organic substituents on the carbon atom.

These compounds find applications primarily as monomers in the synthesis of advanced materials, particularly in the field of epoxy resins. Silorane-based epoxy resins offer advantages over traditional bisphenol-A based epoxies, including lower moisture absorption, enhanced thermal stability, and improved dielectric properties. This makes them suitable for demanding applications in electronics, aerospace, and coatings. The silorane moiety can be incorporated into the polymer backbone, influencing the overall properties of the resulting material. Research continues to explore new synthetic routes and applications for siloranes, aiming to further enhance their performance characteristics.