Boron-carbon-silicon polymers and ceramic and a process for the production thereof

The present invention relates to a process for the production of an organoborosilicon preceramic polymer of the structure: wherein R1 is selected from alkyl having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms or phenyl, and x is selected from 0, 1, 2 or 3; which is pyrolyzable to produce a refractory material comprising inorganic compounds of Si, C and B, which process comprises: contacting a silicon containing compound of the structure:

(R1)x--Si--(CH=CH2)4-x or (R1)x Si--(C=CH)4-x

with a boron containing compound selected from H3B:BH3, H3B:NH3, BH3:N(R2)3 wherein R2 is selected from methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl or phenyl in an inert atmosphere at a temperature of between about 90° and 170° C. for between about 0.1 and 20 hr and recovering the prepolymer. The prepolymer is pyrolyzed to produce a ceramic article useful in high temperature (e.g., aerospace) or extreme environmental applications.