Cleavage of the SiO–Si(CH3)2H bond in Si8O20[Si(CH3)2H]8

Si8O20[Si(CH3)2H]8 reacts with methanol or H2O, resulting in fission of the SiO–Si(CH3)2H bond. The double eight-membered ring silicate core of Si8O20[Si(CH3)2H]8 is retained during the reactions. Si8O20[Si(CH3)3]8 undergoes neither alcoholysis nor hydrolysis under the same reaction conditions, indicating that stability of the Si–O–Si bond depends on the type of functional groups attached to a Si atom.