Polydimethylsiloxane Thimbles

[42557-10-8] C2H6OSin (MW 74.02) InChI = 1S/C2H6OSi/c1-4(2)3/h1-2H3 InChIKey = SEUDSDUUJXTXSV-UHFFFAOYSA-N Alternate names: PDMS; dimethicone; polymerized siloxane; silicone; Sylgard 184; trimethylsiloxy-terminated polydimethylsiloxane. Physical Data: colorless free-flowing liquid; average molecular weight is supplier dependent; d 0.98 g mL−1 Solubility: most chlorinated, hydrocarbon, or ethereal solvents. Insoluble in MeOH, EtOH, glycerol, and water. Limited solubility in DMF and DMSO. Form Supplied in: PDMS thimbles are fabricated from commercially available Sylgard 184 – a two-component prepolymer of PDMS. Typical impurities include residual Pt catalyst. This polymer has a high concentration of silica nanoparticles. Preparative Methods: reaction between dimethylchlorosiloxane and water yields PDMS. The anionic polymerization of hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane yields PDMS. PDMS thimbles are fabricated by curing Sylgard 184 in an oven. Handling, Storage, and Precautions: PDMS thimbles may be stored for over a year under ambient conditions. No specific precautions are necessary.