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Tetramethyldivinyldisiloxane: A Key Crosslinking Agent in Silicone Chemistry

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1. What is Tetramethyldivinyldisiloxane?

Tetramethyldivinyldisiloxane (abbreviated as V2 or vinyl-terminated disiloxane) is an important organosilicon compound with the molecular formula [(CH₃)₂C₂H₃Si]₂O and CAS number 2627-95-4. It is a colorless, transparent liquid with a boiling point of 133-139°C, a density of 0.818 g/cm³, and a refractive index of 1.4118-1.4123. It exhibits high chemical purity and reactivity.

The key structural feature of this compound is the presence of two vinyl groups (-CH=CH₂) at both ends, connected by a siloxane bond (Si-O-Si), making it a crucial crosslinker and end-capping agent in the synthesis of silicone polymers.


2. Synthesis Methods

There are two primary methods for synthesizing tetramethyldivinyldisiloxane:

(1) Grignard Reagent Method

  1. Preparation of vinylmagnesium chloride: Vinyl chloride (CH₂=CHCl) reacts with magnesium (Mg) in anhydrous ether to form vinylmagnesium chloride (CH₂=CHMgCl).

  2. Silylation reaction: Vinylmagnesium chloride reacts with dimethyldichlorosilane ((CH₃)₂SiCl₂) to produce dimethylvinylchlorosilane ((CH₃)₂(C₂H₃)SiCl).

  3. Hydrolysis and condensation: Two molecules of dimethylvinylchlorosilane undergo controlled hydrolysis and condensation to yield tetramethyldivinyldisiloxane.

(2) Direct Synthesis Method (Modified Rochow Process)

  1. Reaction of silicon powder with chloromethane/vinyl chloride: In the presence of a copper catalyst, silicon powder reacts with chloromethane (CH₃Cl) and vinyl chloride (C₂H₃Cl) to directly produce dimethylvinylchlorosilane.

  2. Hydrolysis and condensation: Similar to the Grignard method, the final product is obtained.

Modern Process Optimization:

  • High-selectivity catalysts improve yield

  • Molecular distillation enhances purity (≥99.5%)

  • Continuous production reduces energy consumption


3. Key Applications

Due to its highly reactive vinyl groups, V2 plays a critical role in the synthesis of silicone polymers, primarily used in:

(1) Addition-Cure Silicone Rubber

V2 acts as a crosslinker, undergoing hydrosilylation with hydrogen-containing silicone oil (HSiMe₂O[SiMe₂O]ₙSiMe₂H) in the presence of a platinum catalyst to form a three-dimensional crosslinked network, imparting excellent elasticity, heat resistance, and mechanical properties to the rubber.

  • Applications:

    • Medical-grade silicone rubber (implants, catheters, prosthetics)

    • Electronic encapsulation materials (LEDs, semiconductor packaging)

    • High-temperature silicone gaskets

(2) Vinyl Silicone Oils and Resins

V2 serves as an end-capping agent in the synthesis of vinyl silicone oils and resins, improving their thermal stability, flexibility, and processability.

  • Applications:

    • Heat-resistant coatings

    • Release agents (labels, adhesive tapes)

    • Defoamers (industrial and food-grade)

(3) Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR)

V2 adjusts the curing rate and mechanical properties of LSR, making it suitable for injection molding processes used in automotive seals, baby bottle nipples, and more.

(4) Personal Care Products

V2-derived silicone compounds are used in cosmetics and skincare products to provide a silky feel and film-forming properties.

  • Applications:

    • Sunscreen (enhances water resistance)

    • Hair conditioners (repairs cuticles)

    • Makeup (improves longevity)


4. Future Trends

As silicone materials find increasing use in new energy, medical, and electronics industries, the demand for tetramethyldivinyldisiloxane will continue to grow. Future developments include:
✅ Green synthesis processes: Reducing byproducts and improving atom economy
✅ High-performance silicone materials: For flexible electronics, 5G communications, and other emerging fields
✅ Biomedical materials: Developing safer medical-grade silicone rubbers


5. Conclusion

Tetramethyldivinyldisiloxane (V2) is a crucial crosslinking agent in silicone chemistry, playing an indispensable role in silicone rubber, silicone oils, electronic encapsulation, and medical materials. With advancements in synthesis technology and expanding applications, V2 will continue to drive the development of high-performance silicone materials, meeting the demands of future technology and industry.

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