Abstract: The present application relates to novel silicon based preceramic polymers useful in the production of silicon carbide reinforcement fibers, and to the novel synthesis procedures by which such polymers and reinforcement fibers may be produced.These novel polymers are produced by preparing phenyl substituted polyalkylcyclohexasilane compounds, which are then converted to the corresponding halogen substituted compound by reaction with the appropriate ammonium halide and sulfuric acid in a suitable solvent such as benzene, and then polymerizing the substituted cyclohexasilane by reaction with an alkali metal, again in a suitable solvent such as toluene or benzene, to produce polymers of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is lower alkyl, preferably methyl or ethyl, R.sub.2 is lower alkyl or hydrogen, m is 0 to 5, n is at least 3. The polymers of the present invention have an average molecular weight of from about 1000 to 100 million or more.

Abstract: Solutions of cellulose in hydrazine are formed by dissolving cellulose therein. The cellulose solutions formed may be utilized for the preparation of fibers, films, foams or other cellulose fabricated articles. Alternatively, the dissolution of cellulose in hydrazine may be employed as a means for the direct extraction of cellulose from lignocellulosic materials without the necessity of pulping operations.