SYNTHESIS OF SILICON COMPOUNDS
Abstract
There is only one binary alloy system of silicon which is liquid below the temperature of decomposition of methyl chloride, alcohol, and ether: the gold-silicon system. The possibility of using a liquid eutectic form of silicon as starting material for the direct synthesis of organosilicon compounds was so inviting, because of the constant exposure of fresh surface to the stream of organic reagent, that experiments were undertaken. It was expected that no gold would be consumed or transported, and so the high price of the gold would represent only capital investment, the cost of which might be overbalanced by operational advantages. The experiments reported here show that methylchlorosilanes (intermediates for making silicone polymers) are indeed produced from methyl chloride and gold-silicon alloy, but that the gold enters into the reaction in such a way as to be transported as fine dust. The chemical change was studied intensively, along with reactions of methanol and ethers. The report concludes with some work on organoboran chlorides.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1966
- Accession Number
- AD0643933
Entities
People
- Eduard Krahe
Organizations
- Harvard University