Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus, for preparing silanes of the general formula HnSiCl4-n where n=1, 2, 3 and/or 4 by dismutation of at least one relatively highly chlorinated silane in the presence of a catalyst, which is based on at least one distillation column (1) having a column bottom (1.1) and a column top (1.2), at least one side reactor (2) with catalyst bed (3), at least one feed inlet (1.3), a product offtake (1.4) and at least one further product offtake (1.5 or 1.8), where the distillation column (1) is provided with at least one chimney tray (4) and at least one side reactor (2) is connected to the distillation column (1) via at least three pipes (5, 6, 7) in such a way that the connection point of the line (5) to the distillation column (1) for the discharge of the condensate from the chimney tray (4, 4.1) is at a higher level than the upper edge of the catalyst bed (3, 3.1 or 3.2), the line (6) for the discharge of the liquid phase from the side reactor (2) opens (6.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing silicon by thermal decomposition of a gaseous mixture comprising monosilane, monochlorosilane and, if desired, further chlorosilanes, e.g. dichlorosilane.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for preparing amino acid esters and/or their acid addition salts from monomeric or polymeric amino acids, peptides, proteins and alcohols, which comprises carrying out the reaction in supercritical alcohols, preferably at pressures and temperatures which are at least 5% above the critical parameters, the alcohols serving both as the solvent and as reactants.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and to a process for batchwise preparation of polycondensation polymers having an intrinsic viscosity of from 50 to 150 cm3/g at the particular polycondensation temperature.