Abstract: A method of using nanostructured chemicals as alloying agents for the reinforcement of polymer microstructures, including polymer coils, domains, chains, and segments, at the molecular level. Because of their tailorable compatibility with polymers, nanostructured chemicals can be readily and selectively incorporated into polymers by direct blending processes. The incorporation of a nanostructured chemical into a polymer favorably impacts a multitude of polymer physical properties. Properties most favorably improved are time dependent mechanical and thermal properties such as heat distortion, creep, compression set, shrinkage, modulus, hardness and abrasion resistance. In addition to mechanical properties, other physical properties are favorably improved, including lower thermal conductivity, fire resistance, and improved oxygen permeability.

Abstract: An ecological fire retardant blend of thermoplastics is provided. That is, to one or more organic polymers is added one or more preceramic oligomers or preceramic polymers to provide a blend of polymers of reduced flammability which do not significantly increase the levels of smoke, carbon monoxide or other toxics during combustion. In one example a preceramic polymer, eg. a polysilane resin is added to a polyolefin to provide an ecological fire retardant blend per the invention.

Abstract: An ecological fire retardant blend of thermoplastics is provided. That is, to one or more organic polymers is added one or more preceramic oligomers or preceramic polymers to provide a blend of polymers of reduced flammability which do not significantly increase the levels of smoke, carbon monoxide or other toxics during combustion. In one example a preceramic polymer, eg. a polysilane resin is added to a polyolefin to provide an ecological fire retardant blend per the invention.

Abstract: Method is provided for reacting silsesquioxane resins or polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS) bearing one or more olefinic groups with strong acids to cleave one or more olefin bonds of the olefinic groups to form POSS species of monomers or polymers having one or more functionalities suitable for reaction with a wide range of polymeric systems, to thus form new POSS derived compounds. Also provided are the new compounds so formed.

Abstract: A synthetic process for the selective preparation of reactive polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS) as well as polyhedral oligomeric silicate (POS) (spherosilicate) is provided. The method claimed herein employs metal catalyzed metathesis reactions for the selective reaction of .alpha.-olefin containing polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes or silicates with olefinic reagents bearing functionalities useful for grafting reactions, polymerization chemistry and sol-gel processes. The use of metal catalyzed metathesis chemistry to form both linear or network polyhedral silsesquioxane polymers directly from .alpha.-olefin-containing polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes is also described.

Abstract: A synthetic process for the selective preparation of reactive polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS) as well as polyhedral oligomeric silicate (POS) (spherosilicate) is provided. The inventive process employs the use of metal catalyzed hydrosilylation reactions for the selective reaction of silane containing polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes or silicates with olefinic reagents bearing functionalities useful for grafting reactions, polymerization chemistry and sol-gel processes. The invention also discloses metal-catalyzed hydrosulfidation reactions and metal-catalyzed hydrophosphidation reacttions for functionalization of polycyclic silicones.

Abstract: A synthesis process for polysilsesquioxanes which produces a high yield, tractable copolymer of perfectly alternating silsesquioxane and bridging group segments is provided. A difunctional silsesquioxane monomer of the formula Si.sub.8 R.sub.8 O.sub.11 (OA).sub.2 or Si.sub.7 R.sub.7 O.sub.9 (OSiR.sup.4 R.sup.5 R.sup.6) (OA).sub.2 is reacted with a difunctional compound of the formula X-M-X which forms a bridging group for a time sufficient to condense the difunctional silsesquioxane monomers and bridging groups into a linear polymer containing alternating silsesquioxane and bridging group segments. The resulting linear copolymer is essentially free of impurities and has controllable properties through the proper selection of the monomeric starting materials.

Abstract: A process for preparation of reactive polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes and the subsequent synthesis of polysilsesquioxanes which produce high yield, tractable polymers containing silsesquioxane segments is provided. A trifunctional polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane of the formula Si.sub.7 R.sub.7 O.sub.9 (OA).sub.3 is corner capped by reacting it with a compound of the formula M-Z to form a polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane which can be reacted in various ways with oligomers, polymers, catalysts, or co-monomers to form polyhedral silsesquioxane polymers containing silsesquioxanes as pendant, block, or end group segments. The resulting polymers are essentially free of impurities and have controllable properties through the proper selection of the synthesis process and starting materials.

Abstract: A synthesis process for polysilsesquioxanes which produces a high yield, tractable copolymer of perfectly alternating silsesquioxane and bridging group segments is provided. A difunctional silsesquioxane monomer of the formula Si.sub.8 R.sub.8 O.sub.11 (OA).sub.2 or Si.sub.7 R.sub.7 O.sub.9 (OSiR.sup.4 R.sup.5 R.sup.6)(OA).sub.2 is reacted with a difunctional compound of the formula X--M--X which forms a bridging group for a time sufficient to condense the difunctional silsesquioxane monomers and bridging groups into a linear polymer containing alternating silsesquioxane and bridging group segments. The resulting linear copolymer is essentially free of impurities and has controllable properties through the proper selection of the monomeric starting materials.