Abstract: The invention pertains to a method of passivating direct process solids (1) and to passivated and quenched compositions resulting from said method. The method of passivating direct process solids (1) according to the invention comprises combining direct process solids (1) with a passivating composition comprising clay (2), base (3), and water (4). The passivated composition of the invention comprises direct process solids (1) and a passivating composition comprising clay (2), base (3), and water (4). The quenched composition of the invention comprises the passivated composition, wherein the passivated composition has been held for a sufficient period of time for the reactive species from the direct process solids to be substantially quenched and/or oxidized.

Abstract: Chlorosilanes such as dimethyldichlorosilane are hydrolyzed in a first super-azeotropic hydrochloric acid distillation column A to produce cyclosiloxanes, chlorosiloxanes, and hydrogen chloride gas. The cyclosiloxanes and the chlorosiloxanes are washed and separated according to their volatility in a second sub-azeotropic hydrochloric acid distillation column B, to produce a substantially chloride free volatile cyclosiloxane stream and a substantially chloride free non-volatile siloxane stream. The process is substantially chloride efficient.

Abstract: Chlorosilanes such as dimethyldichlorosilane are hydrolyzed in a first super-azeotropic hydrochloric acid distillation column A to produce cyclosiloxanes, chlorosiloxanes, and hydrogen chloride gas. The cyclosiloxanes and the chlorosiloxanes are washed and separated according to their volatility in a second sub-azeotropic hydrochloric acid distillation column B, to produce a substantially chloride free volatile cyclosiloxane stream and a substantially chloride free non-volatile siloxane stream. The process is substantially chloride efficient.