Conversion of direct process high-boiling component to silane monomers in the presence of hydrogen gas

Abstract

The present invention is a process for converting a high-boiling component resulting from the reaction of an organochloride with silicon into commercially more desirable monosilanes. The process comprises contacting the high-boiling component with hydrogen gas at a temperature within a range having a lower limit greater than 250.degree. C. and an upper limit of 1000.degree. C. Yield of the present process may be improved by use of a catalyst selected from a group consisting of activated carbon, platinum metal, platinum supported on alumina, palladium supported on carbon, SbCl.sub.5, H.sub.2 PtCl.sub.6, BCl.sub.3, AlCl.sub.3, and AlCl.sub.3 supported on a support material selected from a group consisting of carbon, alumina, and silica. In a preferred embodiment of the present process the process is run at a pressure within a range of about 250-1000 psig. The present process is preferential for the production of diorganodichlorosilane in relation to organotrichlorosilane in the monosilane product.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.