Daniel Lecoanet with Dr. Robert C. West and Nicholas Rossi

UW-Madison Department of Chemistry

Siloxane-containing oligoethylene oxide (OCH₂CH₂)n chains were synthesized for application as electrolytes in lithium batteries. The compounds were formed using the following reaction pathways: dehydrogenative coupling reaction, solvolysis, and hydrosilylation. The pathways were successfully followed to synthesize a variety of silicon-containing electrolytes, and the details of each are discussed. Because purity plays a great role in the stability and longevity of the batteries, various methods such as solvent extraction and fractional distillation were used to purify electrolytes. All products were characterized using NMR techniques.