Dye-sensitized solar cells fabricated by using a novel metal-free alkoxysilyl carbazole as a sensitizing dye and a Co^3+/2+-complex redox electrolyte exhibited light-to-electric energy conversion efficiencies of over 12% with open-circuit photovoltages higher than 1 V by applying a hierarchical multi-capping treatment to the photoanode.

The versatility of cis,cis,cis-1,3,5,7-tetrahydroxy-1,3,5,7-tetraisopropylcyclotetrasiloxane (1) as a precursor of cage and ladder siloxanes is presented. Compound 1 reacted with 1,3-dichloro-1,1,3,3-tetraisopropyldisiloxane in pyridine to give 1,3,5,5,7,7,9,11,13,13,15,15-cis-cisoid-cis-dodecaisopropyltricyclo[9.5.1.13,9]octasiloxane (2) in 20% yield. The reaction proceeded with retention of the configuration of the silicon atoms, and only syn-type isomer was obtained. The reaction of 1 with 1,1,3,3-tetrachloro-1,3-diisopropyldisiloxane in pyridine produced hexakis(isopropylsilsesquioxane) (T6) (3) in 25% yield. Treatment of 1 with dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) as dehydrating reagent led to the formation of octakis(isopropylsilsesquioxane) (T8) (4) in 45% yield. The crystal structures of 2, 3, and 4 are reported.