Trimethylsilyl derivatives for the study of silicate structures. Part 6. Identification of fluorosilicate ions from a lead(II) oxide–lead(II) fluoride–silicon(IV) oxide (3/1/1) glass

Abstract

A direct method of trimethylsilylation developed previously has been applied to a glass of composition 3PbO–PbF₂–SiO₂. The major products are the trimethylsilyl derivatives of [SiO₄]^4–, [Si₂O₇]^6–, and [Si₃O₁₀]^8–, together with smaller amounts of the trimethylsilyl derivatives of [SiFO₃]^3–, [Si₂FO₆]^5–, [Si₃FO₉]^7–, and [Si₄FO₁₁]^7–. Trimethylsilyl derivatives of higher silicate and monofluorosilicate ions and of ions containing more than one fluorine atom have also been detected. The results provide direct evidence for the presence of Si–F bonds in glasses of this type.