Computational examination of the electrophilic reaction on oxidative polymerization of phenyltrimethylsilane with sulfur chloride

Phenyltrimethylsilane possesses a higher HOMO energy (–9.34 eV) than nonsubstituted benzene (>0.41 eV). The π electron of the phenyltrimethylsilane localizes on the benzene ring at the ipso position rather than at the para position. Two center energies calculated by the MNDO‐PM3 method indicate that the CSi bond is facilitated to cleave in comparison with the CH (para position) one of the benzene ring. Phenyltrimethylsilane and phenyl bis(trimethylsilane) were polymerized with sulfur chloride through the cationic oxidative polymerization. The product is isolated as oligo(p‐phenylene sulfide), with a melting point of 150–190°C. An electrophile attacks the carbon atom linked to the Si atom in phenyltrimethylsilane. The new synthetic route of PPS can be established on the basis of the computational calculation.