Laser-induced decomposition of silacyclobutane: extensive H(Si)/H(C) scrambling via 1,2-H shift in silene and radical reactions

Abstract The mechanism of the silacyclobutane decomposition has been further refined through a study of the laser induced decomposition of 1,1-dideuterio-1-silacyclobutane. It is concluded that the identified volatile and solid products and the hydrogen and deuterium content in them are in accord with 1,2-H(D)-shift in intermediate silene and with radical reactions.