Abstract: The invention discloses a method for the preparation of high surface area methylsilsesquioxane resin particles. The particles are formed by the hydrolysis and condensation of methyltrichlorosilane followed by separation and drying. By this process, by-products and waste are converted into commercially valuable materials.

Abstract: Linear hydroxy endblocked linear polyorganosiloxanes, linear chloro-endblocked polyorganosiloxanes, and mixtures thereof, are redistributed in a process by contacting the linear polyorganosiloxanes, with a diorganodichlorosilane having the formula R?2SiCl2, wherein R? is an alkyl group containing 1-8 carbon atoms; in the presence of an aqueous hydrochloric acid catalyst; to form a redistributed mixture containing cyclic polyorganosiloxanes and chloro-endblocked polyorganosiloxanes. The process generates less amounts of undesired branched siloxane species than processes which utilize an alumina catalyst.

Abstract: Linear hydroxy endblocked linear polyorganosiloxanes, linear chloro-endblocked polyorganosiloxanes, and mixtures thereof, are redistributed in a process by contacting the linear polyorganosiloxanes, with a diorganodichlorosilane having the formula R?2SiCl2, wherein R? is an alkyl group containing 1-8 carbon atoms; in the presence of an aqueous hydrochloric acid catalyst; to form a redistributed mixture containing cyclic polyorganosiloxanes and chloro-endblocked polyorganosiloxanes. The process generates less amounts of undesired branched siloxane species than processes which utilize an alumina catalyst.

Abstract: A process for continuously reducing the amount of cyclic organosiloxane in a recirculating process stream. The process comprises washing a process stream in a wash step to reduce chloride content of the process stream, distilling the process stream into a low-boiling fraction comprising low molecular weight cyclic organosiloxanes and an inert solvent and a high-boiling fraction comprising linear organosiloxanes and high molecular weight cyclic organosiloxanes, and reequilibrating the overhead low-boiling fraction in the presence of a reequilibration catalyst to form a reequilibration mixture comprising high molecular weight cyclic organosiloxanes and the inert solvent, and recycling the reequilibration mixture to the wash step.

Abstract: A process for redistributing an alkyl-rich silalkylene-containing residues. The process comprises contacting an alkyl-rich silalkylene-containing residue with a halosilane selected from the group consisting of alkyltrihalosilanes and tetrahalosilanes in the presence of an effective amount of a redistribution catalyst at a temperature within a range of about 150.degree. C. to 500.degree. C. thereby forming a redistribution product comprising dialkyldihalosilane. At least a portion of the catalyst in the present process may be formed in situ during conduct of the direct process and isolation of the resulting monosilanes.

Abstract: A process for converting a high-boiling fraction resulting from the reaction of methyl chloride with silicon metalloid in a process typically referred to as the "direct process" to monosilanes. The process comprises contacting a high-boiling fraction comprising polymeric silicon containing compound resulting from the reaction of methyl chloride with silicon metalloid, with hydrogen gas in the presence of an amount of lithium aluminum hydride catalyst effective in promoting conversion of the polymeric silicon containing compounds to monosilanes.

Abstract: A process for converting a high-boiling fraction resulting from the reaction of methyl chloride with silicon metalloid in a process typically referred to as the "direct process" to monosilanes. The process comprises forming a mixture comprising a low-boiling fraction comprising monosilanes and a high-boiling fraction comprising polymeric silicon containing compounds and contacting the mixture with hydrogen gas in the presence of a catalyst effective in promoting conversion of the polymeric silicon containing compounds to monosilanes. The process results in conversion of the high-boiling fraction to monosilanes. At least a portion of the catalyst present may be formed in situ during conduct of the direct process and isolation of the fractions.