Substituent Influences on Electronic Properties of Polysilanes

A major goal of the current project is the systematic modification of distinct properties of oligo- and polysilanes like UV-absorption or electronic conductivity by substituent effects. Answers to the following questions are given particular attention: 1.) How far can substitution shift the UV-absorption of oligo- and polysilanes to lower energies? 2.) To what extent are Si-Si-frameworks transparent for electronic effects? 3.) How is the electronic structure of Si-Si-backbones affected by substitution? After primary studies using defined oligosilane substrates, potentially active substituents will be introduced into polysilane high polymers in order to investigate their influence on macroscopic properties like NLO-behaviour, conductivity, electroluminescence etc.