Solvent-Free Synthesis of Siloxanes and their Usage as Potential Cross-Coupling Reagents

Hexaarylcyclotrisiloxanes were selectively prepared by solvent-free synthesis from diarylsilanediol. These well-known stable compounds were found to undergo palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction with aryl halides in good yields. All of attached aryl groups on silicon atom could be utilized. Furthermore, base-sensitive functionality such as acetyl and nitro groups survived the reaction.