Preparation of cage-like octa(3-aminopropyl)silsesquioxane trifluoromethanesulfonate in higher yield with a shorter reaction time

Abstract

Cage-like octa(3-aminopropyl)silsesquioxane trifluoromethanesulfonate (OAP-POSS-CF₃SO₃) was prepared in higher yield (ca. 93%) with a shorter reaction time (ca. 5–6 h), when the hydrolytic condensation of 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane was performed using the superacid trifluoromethanesulfonic acid as a catalyst. The structure of the resulting OAP-POSS-CF₃SO₃ was confirmed mainly by ²⁹Si NMR, MALDI-TOF MS, ESI MS, and IR measurements. It is suggested that the lower pK_a of the acid catalyst is an important factor leading to the improved yield for the preparation of OAP-POSS-CF₃SO₃.