Process for concurrent preparation of organosiloxanes and methyl chloride

Abstract

The invention provides a novel continuous process for concurrently producing methyl chloride and organosiloxanes by the reaction of an organochlorosilane and methyl alcohol in an aqueous reaction medium at 70.degree. to 150.degree. C. Different from conventional processes, the aqueous reaction medium contains no catalyst so that the problems inherent to the use of a large amount of a catalyst can be avoided. In the inventive process, the feed rates of the reactants are controlled so as to keep the concentration of hydrogen chloride in the aqueous reaction medium not to exceed the azeotropic concentration thereof at the temperature and under the pressure of operation. These conditions are critical to reduce the loss of hydrogen chloride by dissipation into the gaseous phase resulting in a remarkably high yield of methyl chloride from the standpoint of both the conversion of chlorine content and the space-time yield of the reaction vessel. The inventive process is advantageous also in the excellent quality of the organosiloxane product and markedly decreased formation of dimethyl ether as an undesirable by-product.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.