Abstract: A liquid crystal device wherein the liquid crystal material exhibits a smectic phase and cromprises at least one siloxane compound having the general formula ##STR1## in which R=alkyl, alkenyl or aryl, Q represents a monovalent group, for example alkyl --(CH.sub.2).sub.n OM', a chiral organic group, a dye group, a non-linear optic group or the group --(CH.sub.2).sub.n L in which L represents a siloxane group, M and M' each represent ##STR2## wherein A is carboxyl, T is CN, F or Cl and p=0 or 1, provided that when T is F or Cl x has a value of at least 2.

Abstract: A process of loading a ceramic monolithic catalyst support with a heterogeneous water soluble catalyst comprises making a slurry of the catalyst in a mixture of from 2 to 50% by weight of water and from 98 to 50% of a liquid organic carrier, applying the slurry onto the surface of the monolithic catalyst support and allowing the slurry to dry by evaporation of the mixture of water and liquid organic carrier.

Abstract: Novel neopentasiloxane compounds of the general formula Si[OSiR.sub.2 Q].sub.4 wherein R denotes a monovalent hydrocarbon or halohydrocarbon group and Q denotes a group R or a group comprising a block of at least two oxyalkylene units and having a terminal group containing a reactive hydrogen atom, not more than one Q denoting an R group. The invention also encompasses a film-forming composition comprising a curable polyurethane resin and the neopentasiloxane, and the use of the film-forming compositions to provide breathable (water vapour permeable) coatings on textile fabrics.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of amino-substituted organopolysiloxanes which comprises the steps of mixing a catalyst comprising both (i) at least one compound selected from barium hydroxide and strontium hydroxide and (ii) at least one compound selected from borates and phosphates of sodium with (A) a silanol terminated organopolysiloxane compound and (B) an organosilicon compound having at least one silicon-bonded alkoxy or alkoxyalkoxy group and a monovalent substituent composed of carbon, nitrogen and hydrogen and having at least one --NH.sub.2 therein attached to silicon by way of a silicon to carbon linkage and thereafter allowing (A) and (B) to react at a temperature of at least 50.degree. C.

Abstract: Process for producing organosilicon compounds having silicon-bonded substituents, e.g. hexenyl, containing terminal olefinic unsaturation. Process comprises reacting .tbd.SiH with a diene in the presence of a mixture, and/or a reaction product, of a compound or complex of platinum and a compound having at least one amino group e.g. octylamine.

Abstract: Method for the production of organosiloxane elastomeric foam comprising mixing together (A) a polydiorganosiloxane having at least two silicon-bonded alkenyl groups, (B) an organohydrogensiloxane, (C) a platinum catalyst, (D) an .alpha., w-diol of formula HOROH wherein R represents an alkylene group having 3 to 7 carbon atoms and (E) a resin copolymer of R'.sub.3 SiO.sub.0.5 units and SiO.sub.2 units, R' being selected from methyl and vinyl, and thereafter allowing the mixture to foam and cure.

Abstract: Process for the production of condensation products or organosilicon compounds having at least one silicon-bonded hydroxyl group. The process comprises contacting the organosilicon compound with a quaternary ammonium borate, -phosphate, -carbonate or -silicate. May be employed for example for the polymerisation of .alpha., w silanol-terminated polydiorganosiloxanes and for the production of organosiloxanes having organofunctional e.g. aminoalkyl groups.

Abstract: Organosilicon compounds with a siloxane portion and groups of the general formula --OR'OCH.dbd.CHR" (i) linked via an Si--O--C bond, wherein R' is a divalent hydrocarbon radical or a group --R.degree.--(OR.degree.).sub.n --, wherein R.degree. is alkylene and n is from 1 to 12, R" is H or alkyl are useful in radiation curable compositions, in which they are mixed with an initiator. The compositions are particularly useful in UV radiation curable relase coatings.

Abstract: A cleanser composition for hard surfaces, for example baths, tiles, laminated surfaces and the like, which contains at least one surfactant, an abrasive substance, water and an organosiloxane component which comprises both (A) a dimethylsiloxane having from 2 to 10 silicon atoms and (B) a polydiorganosiloxane in which there is present at least one Si-bonded substituent selected from alkyl groups having from 6 to 50 carbon atoms and the styryl group.

Abstract: A film-forming copolymer is formed by copolymerising 100 parts of a curable polyurethane resin and 10 to 100 parts of an organosilicon compound, consisting essentially of SiO.sub.2, R.sub.3 SiO.sub.1/2 and R'R.sub.2 SiO.sub.1/2 units, the ratio of monovalent units to tetravalent units being from 0.4/1 to 2/1 and from 40 to 90% of all monovalent units being R'R.sub.2 SiO.sub.1/2 units. R is a monovalent hydrocarbon group having up to 8 carbons and R' denotes a OH-terminated polyoxyalkylene group. The invention also includes a method of making fabrics waterproof and permeable to water vapour by coating it with such copolymer.

Abstract: Organosilicon compounds with a siloxane portion and groups of the general formula --OR'OCH.dbd.CHR'' (i) linked via an Si--O--C bond, wherein R' is a divalent hydrocarbon radical or a group --R.degree.--(OR.degree.).sub.n --, wherein R.degree. is alkylene and n is from 1 to 12, R'' is H or alkyl are useful in radiation curable compositions, in which they are mixed with an initiator. The compositions are particularly useful in UV radiation curable relase coatings.

Abstract: Process for preparing organosilicon compounds having silicon-bonded groups containing olefinic unsaturation by reaction of a silicon compound having SiH groups with a diene having at least 5 carbon atoms and in which the unsaturation is located at the terminal carbon atoms. The process is carried out in the presence of a catalyst which has been prepared by reacting (i) an inorganic solid having surface reactive groups, (ii) an organosilicom compound having a group reactive with the inorganic solid and a group containing nitrogen and/or sulphur and (iii) a platinum compound or complex PtLb in which L is a ligand.Products have reduced content of isomers resulting from migration of double bond to internal position.

Abstract: A film-forming copolymer is formed by copolymerizing 100 parts of a curable polyurethane resin and 10 to 100 parts of an organosilicon compound, consisting essentially of SiO.sub.2 R.sub.3 SiO.sub.1/2 and R'R.sub.2 SiO.sub.1/2 units the ratio of monovalent units to tetravalent units being from 0.4/1 to 2/1 and from 40 to 90% of all monovalent units being R'R.sub.2 SiO.sub.1/2 units. R is a monovalent hydrocarbon group having up to 8 carbons and R' denotes a OH-terminated polyoxyalkylene group. The invention also includes a method of making fabrics waterproof and permeable to water vapour by coating it with such copolymer.

Abstract: Process for the production of organosiloxanes comprising contacting (A) at least one organosilicon compound having in the molecule at least one silanol group, the organic substituents being selected from monovalent hydrocarbon groups having from 1 to 14 carbon atoms and monovalent substituted hydrocarbon groups having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, with (B) one or more compounds selected from rubidium carbonate, cesium carbonate and carboxylates of rubidium and cesium.

Abstract: A method of making silethynyl polymers having units of the general formula--(R.sub.2 SiC.tbd.C)-- wherein each R independently denotes a hydrogen atom, an alkyl, aryl or alkenyl group or a substituted alkyl, aryl or alkenyl group having up to 18 carbon atoms comprises adding a lithium salt of one or more diethynylsilanes of the general formula R.sub.2 Si(C.tbd.CH).sub.2 to one or more dihalosilanes of the general formula R.sub.2 SiX.sub.2 where X is a halogen atom and allowing the components to react. Copolymers with alternating units can be made. Linear polymers are made preferentially. Limiting the use of solvent increases the percentage of linear polymers produced.

Abstract: Novel neopentasiloxane compounds of the general formula Si[OSiR.sub.2 Q].sub.4 wherein R denotes a monovalent hydrocarbon or halohydrocarbon group and Q denotes a group R or a group comprising a block of at least two oxyalkylene units and having a terminal group containing a reactive hydrogen atom, not more than one Q denoting an R group.The invention also encompasses a film-forming composition comprising a curable polyurethane resin and the neopentasiloxane, and the use of the film-forming compositions to provide breathable (water vapour permeable) coatings on textile fabrics.

Abstract: A termination system is provided for use with optical fibre members installed in tubular passageways using a flow of air or other gas. The system comprises a chamber defined by a body having an opening provided with a removable cover. An end of at least one passageway in which a first optical fibre member may be installed is terminated on the body so that the passageway communicates with the interior of the chamber. Means are mounted on the cover for terminating an end of at least one second optical fibre member. Preferably the passageway carries a plurality of first optical fibre members and the cover has means for terminating the ends of an equal plurality of the second optical fibre members.

Abstract: A method of making silethynyl polymers having units of the general formula --(R.sub.2 SiC.tbd.C)-- wherein each R independently denotes a hydrogen atom, an alkyl, aryl or alkenyl group or a substituted alkyl, aryl or alkenyl group having up to 18 carbon atoms comprises adding a lithium salt of one or more diethynylsilanes of the general formula R.sub.2 Si(C.tbd.CH).sub.2 to one or more dihalosilanes of the general formula R.sub.2 SiX.sub.2 where X is a halogen atom and allowing the components to react. Copolymers with alternating units can be made. Linear polymers are made preferentially. Limiting the use of solvent increases the percentage of linear polymers produced.

Abstract: A duct is provided for receiving an optical fibre member by blowing. The duct is formed at least in part of a plastics material which is electrically conductive or has electrically conductive material such as carbon black held therein or has an electrically conductive material applied thereto preferably the duct has a radially inner layer defining an inside wall of the duct and at least one further layer positioned outwardly of the inner layer, the inner layer being formed of the plastics material which is electrically conductive or has electrically conductive material held therein or had an electrically conductive material applied thereto.

Abstract: Method for preparing a platinum-organosiloxane complex which comprises reacting a platinous halide with an organo-siloxane having from 2 to 4 silicon-bonded organic groups containing terminal olefinic unsaturation, the reaction being carried out in the presence of a polar organic liquid, for example dimethylformamide or butan-2-one, which is at least a partial solvent for the platinous halide.The acomplexes are useful as catalysts for hydrosilylation reactions.