Silsesquioxane

<p>A silsesquioxane is an <a href="/facts/Organosilicon_compound/JvUwzDQ4">organosilicon compound</a> with the <a href="/facts/Chemical_formula/hghUtthl">chemical formula</a> [RSiO3/2]n  (R = H, <a href="/facts/Alkyl/vmEk8X4v">alkyl</a>, <a href="/facts/Aryl/M3z7QRXd">aryl</a>, <a href="/facts/Alkenyl/RtYcS6kU">alkenyl</a> or <a href="/facts/Alkoxyl/6b40PtAp">alkoxyl</a>.). Silsesquioxanes are colorless solids that adopt cage-like or polymeric structures with Si-O-Si linkages and <a href="/facts/Tetrahedral/7mkSrl6j">tetrahedral</a> Si vertices.  Silsesquioxanes are members of polyoctahedral silsesquioxanes ("POSS"), which have attracted attention as <a href="/facts/Preceramic_polymer/ckyQBrGy">preceramic polymer</a> precursors to ceramic materials and <a href="/facts/Nanocomposites/ueSgAT4o">nanocomposites</a>. Diverse substituents (R) can be attached to the Si centers.  The molecules are unusual because they feature an inorganic silicate core and an organic exterior.  The <a href="/facts/Silica/A3WILp6J">silica</a> core confers rigidity and thermal stability.
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Silsesquioxane open-in-new

Silsesquioxane