Partially hydrogenated chlorosilanes and methods for preparing same by selective hydrogenation

A method for preparing a partially hydrogenated chlorosilane by selective hydrogenation, the method comprising:

• (i) reacting an educt chlorosilane of formula SinX2n+2, wherein n is an integer of at least 2, and X is independently selected from the group consisting of H and Cl, with the proviso that at least two chloro substituents are present, with a hydrogenation agent to form a reaction product comprising a partially hydrogenated chlorosilane,
• wherein compared to the educt chlorosilane at least one of the at least two chloro substituents but not all of the at least two chloro substituents is/are transferred to a hydrido substituent;
• and
• (ii) separating said partially hydrogenated chlorosilane from the reaction product,
• wherein the hydrogenation agent is a compound of formula R2AlH, wherein R is a branched hydrocarbon or a cyclic hydrocarbon, and the hydrogenation agent is present in a sub-stochiometric amount relative to the at least two chloro substituents present in the educt chlorosilane.