Sili Putty

Condensation Polymerisation

Has anyone
seen this
before?

Silicone

Silicon putty is a compound that is made via

condensation polymerisation.
We are going to make it (and play with it) using two
chemicals:
dimethyldichlorosilane (CH3)2SiCl2
Water
This will form the silicon putty which looks like this
chemically:

alternating silicon and oxygen atoms with organic

groups (R) attached to the silicon atoms

Condensation
Reaction

Experiment Summary
1. Preparation of silicone oil
2. Removing the hydrogen chloride (HCl) byproduct
3. Removal of Ether (highly volatile)
4. Conversion of silicone oil to bouncy/silly
putty

1. Preparation of Silicon Oil

I. You have a conical flask containing
dimethyldichlorosilane to this add 40cm3 of
diethylether and swirl the flask gently to mix the
two liquids.
II. Slowly add 40cm3 of distilled water using a 100cm3
dropping funnel in a dropwise manner to start with.
This is done slowly to ensure that hydrogen chloride gas is not
evolved too quickly.

III. After 10cm3 has been added dropwise the rate of

addition can be increased

2. Removing the HCl byproduct

HCl is a product of this reaction and as we do not want it - we remove it.
I. Pour the contents of the flask into a 250cm3 separating funnel
and allow the two liquids to separate into layers.
II. Run the bottom layer out into a beaker (label it 1) and keep this
separate.
III. Using a measuring cylinder take 100cm3 of 5% sodium
bicarbonate solution and add it to the separating funnel.
IV. Put the stopper in firmly and turn the funnel upside down. Shake
and periodically release the gas evolved using the tap.
V. Repeat until no more gas is evolved indicating the HCl has been
totally neutralised.

Removing the HCl (continued)

I. Allow the layers to separate once again and run out
the lower aqueous layer into a second beaker
(label it 2).
II. To the remaining top layer add 50cm3 of distilled
water, stopper the funnel, invert and shake for 30
seconds. Release pressure as before and allow to
separate drain the lower layer in beaker 2.
III. Pour the top ether layer into a clean 100cm3
conical flask
IV. Add 3g of solid anhydrous magnesium sulphate

3. Removal of ether
Decant the ether layer away from the MgSO4 by
pouring it through a conical funnel into a
100cm3 round bottomed flask (use a cotton
wool plug in the conical funnel).
Remove the ether using the rotary evaporator
(ask a demonstrator to help you with this).

Conversion of silicon oil to 'putty'

I. Take a clean dry boiling tube and place it in a
250cm3 beaker put onto a balance and zero it
(press tare). Pour all of the silicone oil into the boiling
tube and record its weight.
II. Clamp the boiling tube vertically and heat carefully
using a Bunsen burner until the temperature is around
160oC (monitor using a 200oC thermometer).
III. Add an amount of boric acid equal to 8% of the
weight of the silicone oil in small portions taking care
to stir the oil after each addition to ensure the solid
dissolves. Leave for 1 hour.
IV. Allow the mixture to cool and remove using a