Process for preparing alkylsilyl or arylsilyl ethers

A process for preparing alkylsilyl and arylsilyl ethers of the formula

• (R--O--SiR.sup.1 R.sup.2 R.sup.3)
• wherein R, R1, R2 and R3 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl groups containing one to twenty carbon atoms, substituted alkyl groups containing one to twenty carbon atoms, aryl groups containing six to eighteen carbon atoms, substituted aryl groups containing six to eighteen carbon atoms, hetero aryl groups containing four to eighteen carbon atoms, and substituted hetero aryl groups containing four to eighteen carbon atoms, with the proviso that R is never hydrogen, by reacting, in a hydrocarbon solvent, a chlorosilane of the formula R.sup.1 R.sup.2 R.sup.3 Si--Cl wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 are independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl groups containing one to twenty carbon atoms, substituted alkyl groups containing one to twenty carbon atoms and aryl groups containing six to eighteen carbon atoms, substituted aryl groups containing six to eighteen carbon atoms, hetero aryl groups containing four to eighteen carbon atoms, and substituted hetero aryl groups containing four to eighteen carbon atoms with an alcohol of the formula ROH wherein R is an alkyl group containing one to twenty carbon atoms, a substituted alkyl group containing one to twenty carbon atoms, an aryl or substituted aryl group containing six to eighteen carbon atoms, or a hetero aryl or substituted hetero aryl group containing four to eighteen carbon atoms, in the presence of an organic acid acceptor (base) selected from the group consisting of imidazole, pyrrole, pyrazole, a triazole, a tetrazole, 2,4,6-collidine, 4-dimethylaminopyridine, 2,6-lutidine, 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene, 1,5-diazabicyclo[4.3.0]non-5-ene, 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane, and mixtures of these organic bases in a hydrocarbon solvent.