Method for converting Si-H containing polycarbosilanes to new and useful preceramic polymers and ceramic materials

A method for preparing an organosilicox preceramic polymer, wherein the method comprises:

• (a) generating a polysilylamide in the presence of a polycarbosilane of the formula:
• -[RSi(H)-(CH.sub.2).sub.9 ].sub.n -, where q is an integer 1 or greater;
• R is H, a lower alkyl group having from 1 to about 6 carbon atoms, a lower cycloalkyl group having from 3 to about 6 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted lower aryl group having from 6 to about 10 carbon atoms, and n is an integer greater than 1;
• wherein the polysilylamide is generated by reacting the ammonolysis product of an R.sup.1 SiHX.sub.2, where R.sup.1 is a lower alkyl group having from 1 to about 6 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl group having from 2 to about 6 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted lower aryl group having from 6 to about 10 carbon atoms, a tri(lower)alkyl- or di(lower)alkylsilyl group or a di(lower)alkylamino group and X is a halogen, in the presence of a basic catalyst capable of deprotonating the hydrogen from a nitrogen atom adjacent to a silicon atom to generate the polysilylamide in situ;
• (b) allowing the in situ generated polysilylamide and the polycarbosilane sufficient time to react with each other at room temperature;
• and
• (c) quenching the mixture with an organic halide or halosilane to produce the organosilicon preceramic polymer.