Photoinitiated cationic ring-opening polymerization of a cyclosiloxane

Hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane was found to undergo photoinitiated cationic ring-opening polymerization in solution and bulk, upon exposure to UV radiation, in the presence of either sulfonium or iodonium salts or an iminosulfonate derivative. Glass transition temperatures were below -100°C. Molecular weights, determined by size exclusion chromatography relative to polystyrene standards, increased with photolysis lamp intensity. Use of an iodonium photoinitiator afforded poly(dimethylsiloxane) with Mn = 172,000. Polymerization of hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane was accompanied by a small increase in volume (3-4%).