Abstract: The present invention provides a process for using nanosized copper, nanosized copper oxides, nanosized copper chlorides, other nanosized copper salts, and mixtures thereof, as sources of catalytic copper in the Direct Synthesis of trialkoxysilanes of the formula HSi(OR)3 wherein R is an alkyl group containing from 1 to 6 carbon atoms inclusive. The nanosized copper, nanosized copper oxides, nanosized copper chlorides, other nanosized copper salts, and their mixtures of this invention have average particle sizes that are in the range from about 0.1 to about 600 nanometers, preferably from about 0.1 to about 500 nanometers, and most preferably from about 0.1 to about 100 nanometers. Nanosized sources of catalytic copper afford high dispersion of catalytic sites on silicon and contribute to high reaction rates, high selectivity and high silicon conversion. The nanosized copper catalyst precursors of the invention permit the use of substantially reduced levels of copper compared to conventional practice.

Abstract: This invention discloses a process to improve reaction stability in the Direct Synthesis of trialkoxysilanes. The process is particularly effective in the Direct Synthesis of triethoxysilane and its higher alkyl cognates providing improved triethoxysilane yields.

Abstract: A Direct Synthesis of making organohalosilanes with greater selectivity to the dialkyldihalosilane is disclosed herein. By using nanosized copper catalyst precursors, and preferably nanosized promoters as well, D/T values of greater than 10, and preferably greater than 15, are obtainable with silicon conversions in excess of 80 wt. %. Shorter induction times are realized using the nanosized copper catalysts in the Direct Synthesis. The nanosized copper catalyst precursors most preferably have an average particle size of less than 100 nanometers.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for producing nanosized metal compounds. The preferred product is nanosized copper, nanosized copper (I) oxide, and nanosized copper (II) oxide. The process includes heating a copper metal precursor in a hydrocarbon preferably selected from alkylated benzenes, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, paraffins and/or naphthenic hydrocarbons. The heating is desirably at a temperature and time effective to convert, for example, the copper metal precursor to nanosized copper (II) oxide, nanosized copper (I) oxide and/or nanosized copper metal. Separation of the hydrocarbon is then performed. Recovering the solid product and recycle/reuse of the recovered hydrocarbon in subsequent preparations of nanosized metal and metal oxides may be performed. The nanosized metal oxides of the invention may additionally be converted to nanosized metal salts by reaction with the appropriate acids while dispersed in the hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A method of making nanosized copper (I) compounds, in particular, copper (I) halides, pseudohalides, and cyanocuprate complexes, in reverse micelles or microemulsions is disclosed herein. The method of the invention comprises (a) dissolving a copper (II) compound in the polar phase of a first reverse micelle or microemulsion, (b) dissolving a copper (II) to copper (I) reducing agent or a pseudohalide salt in the polar phase of a second sample of the same reverse micelle or microemulsion, (c) mixing the two reverse micelle/microemulsions samples to form nanometer sized copper (I) compounds and (d) recovering said nanometer sized copper (I) compounds. The present invention is also directed to the resultant nanosized copper (I) compounds, such as copper (I) chloride, copper (I) cyanide, and potassium cyanocuprate complexes having an average particle size of about 0.1 to 600 nanometers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for using nanosized copper, nanosized copper oxides, nanosized copper chlorides, other nanosized copper salts, and mixtures thereof, as sources of catalytic copper in the Direct Synthesis of trialkoxysilanes of the formula HSi(OR)3 wherein R is an alkyl group containing from 1 to 6 carbon atoms inclusive. The nanosized copper, nanosized copper oxides, nanosized copper chlorides, other nanosized copper salts, and their mixtures of this invention have average particle sizes that are in the range from about 0.1 to about 600 nanometers, preferably from about 0.1 to about 500 nanometers, and most preferably from about 0.1 to about 100 nanometers. Nanosized sources of catalytic copper afford high dispersion of catalytic sites on silicon and contribute to high reaction rates, high selectivity and high silicon conversion. The nanosized copper catalyst precursors of the invention permit the use of substantially reduced levels of copper compared to conventional practice.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for producing nanosized metal compounds. The preferred product is nanosized copper, nanosized copper (I) oxide, and nanosized copper (II) oxide. The process includes heating a copper metal precursor in a hydrocarbon preferably selected from alkylated benzenes, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, paraffins and/or naphthenic hydrocarbons. The heating is desirably at a temperature and time effective to convert, for example, the copper metal precursor to nanosized copper (II) oxide, nanosized copper (I) oxide and/or nanosized copper metal. Separation of the hydrocarbon is then performed. Recovering the solid product and recycle/reuse of the recovered hydrocarbon in subsequent preparations of nanosized metal and metal oxides may be performed. The nanosized metal oxides of the invention may additionally be converted to nanosized metal salts by reaction with the appropriate acids while dispersed in the hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A Direct Synthesis of making organohalosilanes with greater selectivity to the dialkyldihalosilane is disclosed herein. By using nanosized copper catalyst precursors, and preferably nanosized promoters as well, D/T values of greater than 10, and preferably greater than 15, are obtainable with silicon conversions in excess of 80 wt. %. Shorter induction times are realized using the nanosized copper catalysts in the Direct Synthesis. The nanosized copper catalyst precursors most preferably have an average particle size of less than 100 nanometers.

Abstract: This invention discloses hydrophilic additives in polysiloxane gels, elastomers and coatings, and novel processes for producing them. The process comprises:(a) redistributing into polysiloxane-polyether copolymers an unsaturated silane or siloxane,(b) adding to the mixture of reagents a catalytically effective amount of a basic catalyst; and(c) heating the reaction mixture to effect reaction.Novel siloxane structures of unsaturated aliphatic modified polyerther siloxane copolymers are also taught.

Abstract: The instant invention provides a method for improving the miscibility of the lower molecular weight unsaturated siloxane-polyether copolymers with the .alpha., .omega.-divinylpolysiloxanes without loss of storage stability, or delay of cure at the vulcanization temperature, or loss of permanent hydrophilicity or other desirable features of the cured polysiloxane. The compositions of the present invention comprise one or more .alpha., .omega.-divinylpolysiloxanes, unsaturated polysiloxane-polyether copolymers having from 2 to 5 silicon atoms per molecule which are preferably trisiloxanes, and a compatibilizing additive. The permanently hydrophilic, rapidly wettable polysiloxane compositions yield static water contact angles <50.degree. dynamic advancing contact angles of less than about 100.

Abstract: This Invention discloses the use of ascorbic and citric acid, their salts, ethers, acid esters and mixtures thereof in a method for the prevention of peroxide formation, and/or for decomposing peroxides already formed in polyethers. Hereby, the polyethers are made reactive to hydrosilylation by silanes and hydrosiloxanes. When the polyether treatment is done with mixtures of ascorbic acid and sodium ascorbate and allyl polyethers, the hydrosilylation product contains reduced levels of propanal. The copolymers prepared using the treated polyethers are efficient stabilizers of flexible polyurethane foams and rigid polyurethane and polyisocyanurate foams.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process in which surface-active additives are used in the slurry phase Direct Synthesis of trialkoxysilanes to shorten the period between the start of the reaction and the attainment of steady-state rates and selectivities, to improve product yields and to control or prevent foam formation. Compositions comprising silicone antifoam compounds and fluorosilicone polymers are the preferred surface-active additives of the instant process.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved process for the slurry phase Direct Synthesis of trialkoxysilanes which comprises the activation of copper catalyst and silicon with a reducing agent such as hydrogen gas, carbon monoxide or monosilane. Such activation affords high, stable reaction rates and selectivities and high silicon overall conversion especially in alkylated benzene solvents.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses manufacturing polysiloxane polyether copolymers using esters without any hydroxyl groups thereon, organohydrogen silanes and unsaturated polyoxyalkylene polyethers. Said esters are of low volatility and high boiling point and have at least eight carbons. The process yields clear copolymer solutions and do not need to have the ester solvent stripped. Also taught are novel compositions incorporating the ester solvent to make the copolymer and the copolymer and the ester solvent.

Abstract: A siloxane composition is described comprising a polydiorganosiloxane have at least two unsaturated hydrocarbon groups per molecule, a polyorganohydrosiloxane network crosslinker that has at least three Si--H bonds per molecule, a silane or siloxane crosslinker that has at one --SiH.sub.3 group, a hydrosilation catalyst, and, optionally, a siloxane rheological control agent. The composition allows gels to be prepared that exhibit good adhesion to various substrates, and can also be used to temporarily inhibit catalyst activity. Prostheses and coatings can be produced with these compositions.

Abstract: Direct Synthesis processes for the selective production of organohalohydrosilanes at high rates, selectivities and conversions by the catalytic reaction of activated silicon with mixtures of organohalides and hydrogen in the presence of controlled concentrations of selected metal atoms.

Abstract: A method of redistributing a mixture of organohalosianes, particularly methylchlorosilanes by contacting said mixture with a heat treated crystalline gamma alumina or eta alumina catalyst.

Abstract: An improved Direct Reaction process which comprises reacting an organohalide with an activated silicon composition, the improvement comprising maintaining the composition of the activated silicon so that it comprises, based on the amount of silicon, 0.05-10 wt. % catalyst; an effective amount of promoter, and 0.001-0.1 wt. % tin, wherein the promoter to tin ratio is 10-250. Activated silicon compositions and methods for selecting a catalyst composition also are provided.

Abstract: A vapor phase process for the synthesis of alkoxysilanes of the general formula HSi(OR'").sub.x (R").sub.3-x which comprises reacting(a) a silane of the general formulaHSi(NRR').sub.x (R").sub.3-xwherein R, R' and R" are individually hydrogen or an aryl or alkyl group optionally containing unsaturation, each having from one to eight carbon atoms inclusive, and where R' may also be an alkoxy or carbamato group and where x has a value of from one to three; with(b) an alcohol of the general formulaR'"OHwherein R'" is an aryl group, or an alkyl group optionally containing unsaturation, each having from one to twenty carbon atoms inclusive and optionally substituted said reaction taking place in the presence of(c) a catalystin which both the silane and the alcohol are present in gaseous form in a stoichiometric ratio of 0.4 to 1.05 moles of alcohol per mole of silicon-nitrogen bonds and where said catalyst is present in an amount from 0.01 to 10 mole percent of the silicon-nitrogen bonds.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process in which surface-active additives are used in the slurry phase Direct Synthesis of trialkoxysilanes to shorten the period between the start of the reaction and the attainment of steady-state rates and selectivities, to improve product yields and to control or prevent foam formation. Compositions comprising silicone antifoam compounds and fluorosilicone polymers are the preferred surface-active additives of the instant process.