Formation of Singlet Oxygen during Thermal Degradation of Hydrotrioxides of Triorganosilanes

The yield of singlet oxygen (1O2) due to the degradation of triethylsilane, dimethylphenylsilane, triphenylsilane, and dimethyl(trimethylsiloxy)silane hydrotrioxides has been determined for the first time using the IR chemiluminescence technique. The most effective sources of singlet oxygen in this series are triphenylsilyl hydrotrioxide and dimethyl(trimethylsiloxy)silyl hydrotrioxide. The yield of 1O2 upon their degradation is 69 and 92%, respectively.