Trimethylsilylation of Ag10Si4O13: cyclisation of the linear chain anion Si4O1310–

Abstract

Trimethylsilylation of Ag₁₀Si₄O₁₃ by a modified ‘direct method’ yielded the trimethylsilyl (TMS) derivative of the linear chain ion Si₄O₁₃^10– as the major product; this ion readily undergoes cyclisation in acidic aqueous media to yield the cyclic tetramer Si₄O₁₂^8– and the presence of linear and branched chain isomers of the TMS derivative of Si₄O₁₃^10– was confirmed in the tri-methylsilylation of lead fluorosilicate glass.