LAUSR

Silsesquioxanes have attracted considerable attention in recent years due to their unique hybrid structure and versatile properties. Herein, we report the first catalytic approach to the synthesis of completely and partially condensed germanium-functionalized silsesquioxanes as well as germasilsesquioxanes, mediated by scandium(III) triflate. We provide a solution for introducing germyl functionalities into various types of silsesquioxanes under mild conditions with excellent yields. This methodology turns out to be a highly efficient and selective synthesis route to obtaining novel germanium-containing silsesquioxanes. These new multielement POSS derivatives may have great potential for further applications as valuable multifunctional building blocks in material chemistry.