The reaction between [Li(dme)AsH2] and (ClSiiPr2)2O gives a mixture of two products: the primary diarsanyldisiloxan (H2AsSiiPr2)2O (5) and the cyclic diarsanylsiloxane (HAsSiiPr2)2O (6). Through metallation of the mixture, the deprotonated species of both compounds could be obtained and isolated. Further reactions between the two metallated cyclic diarsanylsiloxanes (compounds 9 and 10) and (ClSiiPr2)2O both lead to the bicyclic compound As2[(iPr2Si)2O]2 (11). Subsequent oxidative coupling of 9 or 10 with C2H4Br2 as reagent leads to intermolecular As–As bond formation, yielding the quite remarkable compound As6[(iPr2Si)2O]3 (12), which features two siloxane‐bridged As3 rings. Compounds 5–12 were characterized by NMR, elemental analysis and X‐ray crystallography. Quantum chemical calculations were carried out to investigate the formation of the different products when arsenic (compound 12) is substituted by phosphorus (compound 4) in the final oxidation reaction of the cyclic compounds (HESiiPr2)2O. The calculations suggest a reaction path leading to 4 that is in agreement with experimental observations. The theoretical data also provide information that explains the experimental finding that two different products for E = P and E = As are formed under the same oxidative reaction conditions.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.