“Self-assembly” leads to formation of helical phases

C-Si-C-C dihedral (deg.)

C-C-Si-C dihedral (deg.)

Energy (kcal/mol per dimer)

Si-Si-Si-Si dihedral angle is ~170°

15/7 helix

Topology of the surface is well defined with one clear minimum

Conformational energy surface of an all transoid (15/7 helix) in poly(di-n-butylsilane) oligomer

Repeat unit: - (SiR2 ) – and  R= (CH2)3CH3