Laddersiloxanes — silsesquioxanes with defined ladder structure

Synthesis, structures and properties of laddersiloxanes reported in the last 15 years are summarized. Synthetic methods for the preparation of tricyclic, pentacyclic, heptacyclic, nonacyclic and polymeric laddersiloxanes are reviewed. Structures of laddersiloxanes determined by X-ray crystallography and their physicochemical properties (thermal stability, hydrophobicity, etc.) are analyzed. Bibliography — 50 references.