Abstract: The organosilanes/organopolysilanes, e.g., methylchlorosilanes useful in the production of silicones, are facilely prepared by contacting, in an inert atmosphere, (1) at least one disilane having the general formula:(R).sub.3 Si--Si--R).sub.3 (I)wherein the radicals R, which may be identical or different, are each C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl, hydrogen, 3,3,3-trifluoropropyl, trimethylsiloxy, fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine, with (2) a catalytically effective amount of a catalyst system comprising (a) at least one ionic inorganic salt having the formula:M.sup.+ A.sup.-wherein M.sup.+ is lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium or cesium, and A.sup.- is fluoride, chloride, bromide or iodide, and (b) at least one compound which complexes the cation M.sup.+ of said salt (a), e.g., a sequestering agent having the formula:N--CHR.sub.1 --CHR.sub.2 O--CHR.sub.3 CHR.sub.4 O).sub.n R.sub.5 ].sub.3 (II).

Abstract: A process for preparing hydrogenosilanes by hydrogenating disilanes, especially halogenated disilanes, under relatively mild reaction conditions is disclosed. The hydrogenation is effected in the presence of a catalytic system containing an aprotic compound and a nickel catalyst which consists essentially of finely divided nickel and is obtained by preliminary or in situ reduction of a nickel compound.