Preparation of reaction mass for the production of methylchlorosilane

A method for preparing a coppercatalyzed silicon reaction mass which comprises blending together finely-divided particles of silicon metal and a copper catalyst, the copper catalyst having a particle size in the range of between about 2 and 5 microns, and then heating the blended mixture in a reducing atmosphere at temperatures ranging from about 660.degree. C. to about 1080.degree. C. for a period of from about 5 hours at lower temperatures to about one-half hour at higher temperatures, the silicon and copper catalyst mixture containing sufficient copper catalyst to produce a copper concentration of less than about 2% by weight in the product.

A method for preparing a copper-catalyzed silicon reaction mass which comprises blending together finely-divided particles of silicon metal, a copper catalyst and zinc powders, the copper catalyst having a particle size in the range of between 2 and 5 microns, and passing the blended mixture through a rotary calciner while continuously contacting the blended mixture with a countercurrent flow of hydrogen gas at a temperature of about 1000.degree. C. for a period of at least about one-half hour, the silicon and copper catalyst mixture containing sufficient copper catalyst to produce a copper concentration of less than about 2% by weight in the product.