Process for the preparation of organosilicon-disulfanes

A process for the preparation of an organosilicon-disulfane corresponding to the formula:

• Z-Alk-S.sub.2 -Alk-Z (I)
• in which Z represents, a member selected from the group consisting of ##STR3## in which R.sup.1 represents a linear or branched alkyl group having 1-5 C atoms, cycloalkyl having 5-8 C atoms, benzyl, or phenyl optionally substituted by methyl, ethyl or chlorine,
• R.sup.2 represents an alkoxy group with a linear or branched carbon chain having 1-5 C atoms, or represents a cycloalkoxy group having 5-8 C atoms, the phenoxy group or the benzyloxy group, where R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 can in each case have identical or different meanings,
• Alk represents a divalent saturated linear or branched hydrocarbon radical having 1-10 C--atoms or the group ##STR4## wherein n can be =1 to 6 comprising reacting a thiocyanate of the formula:
• Z-Alk-SCN (II),
• in which Z and Alk have the abovementioned meanings
• in the presence of an alkali metal alcoholate of the formula:
• R.sup.3 O--Me (III),
• in which R.sup.3 O represents an alkoxy group with a linear or branched carbon chain and 1 to 5 C atoms, or represents a cycloalkoxy group having 5 to 8 C atoms, the phenoxy group or the benzyloxy group and Me is sodium or potassium.