Redistribution catalyst and methods for its preparation and use to convert chlorosilicon hydrides to silane

A process of disproportionation of a chlorosilane selected from the class consisting of trichlorosilane, dichlorosilane, monochlorosilane, and mixtures thereof to silane which comprises contacting the chlorosilane at a temperature between about 0.degree. and 200.degree. C. in the presence of a catalyst which comprises the solid reaction product of from 5 to 75 weight percent of:

• (a) an active catalytic ingredient having the formula:
• ##STR6## wherein:
• n is 1 to 4;
• R is alkyl having 1 to 4 carbons;
• R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are the same or different alkyl or aryl groups having 1 to 8 carbons;
• R.sub.3 is an alkyl- or dialkyl- amino substituted alkyl having 1 to 20 carbons, with the alkyl groups of the amino group being monovalent alkyl or heterocyclic ring having 1 to 10 carbons;
• and
• X is chloride, iodide, or bromide;
• and
• (b) the balance being a silicon containing carrier selected from the class consisting of:
• (i) a surface hydroxyl bearing solid selected from the class consisting of silica, zeolite, clay, solid silicone resin, and the hydrolyzed solid of silicon compounds having the formula:
• R.sup.4 (CH.sub.2).sub.n SiX.sub.3
• wherein:
• n is 1 to 4;
• X is halide or alkoxy having 1 to 4 carbons;
• and
• R.sup.4 is hydrogen, alkyl, or aryl having a functional group of the class of --SH, --CN, ##STR7## pyrrolidine, and alkyl amino having 1 to 4 carbons;
• and (c) mixtures thereof.