Patent ID: 7339068
Filing Date: 2008-03-04
Classification: C07F

Abstract:
1. A process for using a nanosized copper catalyst precursor selected from the group consisting of nanosized copper, nanosized copper oxides, nanosized copper chlorides, other nanosized copper salts, and mixtures thereof as sources of catalytic copper in the direct synthesis of trialkoxysilane of formula HSi(OR) 3 wherein R is an alkyl group containing from 1 to 6 carbon atoms inclusive, said process comprising: (a) forming a reaction mixture comprising a thermally stable solvent, silicon metal, a catalytically effective amount of said nanosized copper catalyst precursor having an average particle size in a range from about 0.1 to about 60 nanometers; (b) agitating and heating this mixture to form copper-activated silicon in situ and injecting into said reaction mixture an alcohol to react with said copper-activated silicon to produce said trialkoxysilane; and (c) recovering said trialkoxysilane from the reaction product.