Catalytic alkylation process

Abstract: This application concerns a process for alkylating, in a hydrocarbon solvent reaction medium, metalloidal substrates such as alkylating a chlorosilane with an alkyllithium containing 3 to 8 carbon atoms by conducting these reactions in the presence of a catalyst selected from primary and secondary alcohols, and their respective metal alkoxides, cyclic ethers, hydrocarbyl ethers, hydrocarbyl silyl ethers, and tertiary amines.

Description: The present invention concerns a process for producing alkylated organometalloidal compounds especially organdsilanes in high yields by catalyzing the alkylation of metalloidal substrates. Alkylated chlorosilanes have various uses in organic synthesis reactions. The use of t -butyldimethylchlorosilane as a protecting agent, particularly as an OH-protector, in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals such as antibiotics, carbapenems, prostaglandins and the like is well known. The reaction of t-butylmagnesium chloride with dichloromethylsilane was disclosed by M. Takamizawa et al. in U.S. Patent No. 4,593,112 to give a 70% yield of t-butylmethylchlorosilane; the latter product is treated with methylmagnesium chloride to yield t-butyldimethylsilane [98%], which is then chlorinated in 85% yield to give t-butyldimethylchlorosilane. The overall yield of this multi-step reaction is low [58%]. It is disclosed by A. Shirahata in Tetrahedron Letters, vol. 30, No. 46, pp. 6393-6394 [1989] that reaction of tertiary butylmagnesium chloride with dimethyldichlorosilane in the presence of cuprous cyanide in THF gives a 74% yield of t-butyldimethylchlorosilane. The yield is low and expensive solvent is used. The reaction of isopropylmagnesium chloride with trimethylchlorosilane to give isopropyltrimethylsilane [no yield given] is disclosed by A. Shirahata in U.S. Patent No. 4,818,474. Chlorination of the isopropyltrimethylsilane causes a rearrangement to alpha-chloro-, alpha, alpha dimethyl, trimethylsilane [no yield given]. Treatment of the latter compound with aluminum chloride gave the desired t-butyldimethylchlorosilane. Again, a multi-step reaction in low overall yield is projected (expensive solvent). The present invention provides processes for producing alkylated metalloidal compounds in high yields by alkylation of the metalloidal substrates in a hydrocarbon solvent in the presence of certain catalysts or protocatalysts in a hydrocarbon solvent. These processes are especially useful in alkylations involving bulky or highly hindered alkyl groups such as isopropyl, tertiary butyl, 2-ethylhexyl groups, and the like. Metalloidal substrates which are alkylated via alkyl-halogen exchange employing alkyllithium compounds are chlorosilanes. These reactions may be exemplified by the reaction sequence: wherein R is an alkyl group and R 1 , R 2 , and R 3 are independently selected from hydrogen, halogen, and various carbon containing compounds. One aspect of the present invention provides an improved process for producing alkylated chlorosilanes by reacting an alkyllithium compound with a chlorosilane or an alkyl-substituted chlorosilane in the presence of a small amount of certain organic substances added either to the reactants or to the reaction mixture itself. These organic substances greatly accelerate the reaction and also bring about a more complete reaction, on the order of 95% or so in a period of 2 minutes to 7 hours. The reactions are conducted in a hydrocarbon solvent. These organic substances may be termed catalysts or protocatalysts, that is, substances that are converted into catalysts by reaction with any of the reactants of this invention. Whatever they are termed these organic substances result in a more complete reaction in a shorter period of time and also result in surprisingly less impurities from side reactions. The catalysts and/or catalyst precursors most useful in the practice of this invention include compounds in several basic categories. One such category includes (A) alcohols, primary and secondary amines and phosphines of the formula (R 3 ) x (RR 1 R 2 M a ) y A(H) z wherein R, R 1 and R 2 are independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl and alkenyl groups containing 1 to 13 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl groups containing 3 to 10 carbon atoms and aryl groups containing 6 to 18 carbon atoms; R 3 is independently selected from aryl groups containing 6 to 18 carbon atoms, four to six membered heterocyclic carbon-containing groups containing one to two hetero atoms selected from oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur, hydroxyalkyl and alkoxyalkyl groups containing 2 to 13 carbon atoms and mono-and dialkylaminoalkyl groups containing 2 to 13 carbon atoms; M a is a group IV metal selected from silicon or carbon; A is selected from oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen and phosphorous; x and y independently have values from zero to two and z has a value of one or two with the proviso that x+y+z is equivalent to the valence of A. Alcohols encompassed by the above Formula (I) can be mono-, di-, or polyhydric, primary and secondary alcohols containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms, which include but are not limited to methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, n-, iso-, and sec-butanol, n-hexanol, n-octanol, 2-methylpentanol, 2-ethylhexanol, ethylene glycol and its monoethers, glycerol, benzyl alcohol, phenol, thiophenol and the like. Tertiary alcohols, such as t-butanol and 2,3-dimethyl-2-butanol, appear to possess a lesser catalytic activity. Preferred among these alcohols are C 1 to C 8 non-tertiary alkanols,, such as e.g., isopropanol, and 2-ethylhexanol. In addition to the alcohols encompassed by Formula I the invention includes cyclohexanol and diethleneglycol and its monoethers. Additional compounds encompassed by Formula (I) include mono- and bis-hydrocarbyl amines containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms such as methylamine, ethylamine, propylamine, sec-butylamine, di-2-ethylhexylamine, diethylamine, N,N'-dimethylethylenediamine and iso-propylcycohexylamine. Among other substances useful in the practice of this invention, whether they are catalysts, catalyst precursors or protocatalysts, are (B) compounds of the formula [(R 3 ) x (RR 1 R 2 M a ) y A(H) z ] w (M b ) wherein R, R 1 , R 2 are independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl and alkenyl groups containing 1 to 13 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl groups containing 3 to 10 carbon atoms and aryl groups containing 6 to 18 carbon atoms; R 3 is selected from aryl groups containing 6 to 18 carbon atoms, four to six membered heterocyclic carbon containing groups containing one to two hetero atoms selected from oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, or an alkoxyalkoxyalkyl or an alkoxyalkoxyalkoxyalkyl group derived from methoxyethanol, methoxyethoxyethanol, ethoxyethanol, ethoxyethoxyethanol and butoxyethoxyethoxyethanol and mono- and dialkylaminoalkyl groups containing 2 to 13 atoms; M a is a Group IV element selected from silicon and carbon; A is selected from oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen and phosphorous, and M b is selected from lithium, sodium, potassium and magnesium; x and y independently have values from zero to two, z is zero or one with the proviso that x+y+z is equivalent to the valence of A, and w is one or two. These substances, which may hereinafter be termed catalysts, include metal alkoxides, metal alkylamides and imides, metal alkyl phosphides and metal alkylsulfides. The metal alkoxide catalysts of Formula (II) can be generated from the reaction of alkyllithium compounds with a variety of oxygen containing organic compounds such as alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, esters, carboxylic acids and anhydrides, and the like. Useful metal alkoxides include, but are not limited to, lithium ethoxide, lithium isopropoxide, lithium benzyloxide, lithium n-octyloxide, lithium cyclohexyloxide, lithium n-hexyloxide, lithium 2-methylpentyloxide, sodium isopropoxide, magnesium 2-methylpentyloxide, zinc isopropoxide, potassium tert-amyloxide, lithium trimethylsilanolate and the like and metal alkoxides formed by the reaction of alkyllithium compounds with oxygen. Metal alkoxides which interact with organolithium reagents are also useful, e.g., magnesium, zinc, and calcium alkoxides. Most preferred are lithium alkoxides. Also included are metal mono- and bis-hydrocarbyl amide and imide compounds of Formula (II) generated by the reaction of organolithium compounds with a variety of nitrogen containing organic compounds such as mono-and dialkylamines, nitriles, carbamates, imines, silylazanes and the like. Examples of metal amides are those selected from the group consisting of lithium n-hexylamide, lithium diisopropylamide, lithium 2-ethylhexylamide, lithium bis-2-ethylhexylamide, lithium diisobutylamide, and lithium hexamethyldisilazane. The metal mono- and bis-hydrocarbyl phosphide catalysts of Formula (II) are generated by the reaction of organolithium compounds with a variety of phosphorous containing organic compounds including mono- and dialkyl phosphines. The metal hydrocarbyl sulfide catalysts of Formula (II) are generated by the reaction of organolithium compounds with a variety of sulfur containing organic compounds including mono- and disulfides, and thiols. Mixtures of the catalysts can be employed with good results. The compounds of Formula (II) above react with the metalloidal substrates, such as the chlorosilane reactants of this invention to form mixed silylalkyl ethers, amines, and phosphines, which themselves, function as catalysts or protocatalysts to promote the reaction. For example, in the practice of utilizing lithium isopropoxide as a catalyst in the preparation of t-butyldimethylchlorosilane it was discovered that t-butyldimethylisopropoxysilane was formed. It was found that this latter compound also functioned as a catalyst in promoting the formation of t-butyldimethylchlorosilane (see Table 1). Other ethers, such as hydrocarbyl ethers, also function as catalysts or protocatalysts in this reaction (see Table 1). Thus, among substances useful in the practice of this invention, whether they are catalysts, catalyst precursors or protocatalysts are compounds (C) of the formula (RR 1 R 2 M a ) y A(R 3 ) x wherein R, R 1 and R 2 are independently selected from hydrogen; halogen; alkyl and alkenyl groups containing 1 to 13 carbon atoms; cycloalkyl groups cotaining 3 to 10 carbon atoms; and aryl groups containing 6 to 18 carbon atoms; R 3 is independently selected from aryl groups containing 6 to 18 carbon atoms; four to six-membered heterocyclic carbon containing groups containing one to two hetero atoms selected from oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur; hydroxyalkyl groups and alkoxyalkyl groups containing 2 to 13 carbon atoms and mono-and dialkylaminoalkyl groups containing 2 to 13 carbon atoms; M a is selected from silicon or carbon, A is selected from oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen and phosporous, and x and y independently have values from zero to three, with the proviso that x+y are equal to the valence of A, (D) a compound of formula III wherein A is oxygen, M a is carbon, both x and y are one, R, R 1 and R 2 each individually represent hydrogen or alkyl groups containing 1 to 13 carbon atoms and R 3 is an alkyl group, (E) a compound selected from chlorodimethylisopropoxysilane, t-butyldimethylisopropoxysilane, trimethylisopropoxysilane, dichloromethylisopropoxysilane, and hexamethyldisiloxane, (F) a cyclic ether selected from tetrahydrofuran, methyltetrahydrofuran and tetrahydropyran, (G) a compound selected from the group consisting of 1, 4-diazabicyclo [2,2,2] octane, methyldibutylamine triethylenediamine, pentamethylethylenetriamine, and isopropyl cyclohexylamine, (H) a compound selected from the group consisting of cyclohexanol; diethyleneglycol and a monoether of diethyleneglycol. (I) mixtures of (A), (B), (C), (D), (E), (F), (G) and (H) above. These substances, which may hereinafter be termed catalysts or protocatalysts, include bis-hydrocarbyl ethers hydrocarbyl silyl ethers, bis-silyl ethers, trishydrocarbylamines, hydrocarbyl silyl amines, trisorganosilyl amines, tris-organogermylphosphines and the like. Some Examples of compounds of Formula III are as follows: a. Hydrocarbylsilyl and bis-silyl ethers generated by reaction of chlorosilanes with alcohols or metal alkoxides, and selected from chlorodimethylisopropoxysilane, t-butyldimethylisopropoxysilane, trimethylisopropoxysilane, dichloromethylisopropoxysilane, and hexamethyldisiloxane. b. Hydrocarbyl ethers such as, e.g., cyclic and acyclic ethers, symmetrical and unsymmetrical dialkyl, diaryl and alkylaryl ethers which include, but are not limited to, dimethyl ether, diethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, methyltetrahydrofuran and tetrahydropyran, anisole, methyl- t -butyl ether, di-n-butyl ether, diamyl ether, di-n-hexyl ether, di-n-octyl ether, diphenyl ether and the like. Additional useful ethers are glycol ether types, such as the mono- and di- methyl, ethyl and butyl ethers of ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, and the like. Also useful are acetals (1,1-ethers), such as dimethoxymethane and diethoxymethane. Preferred among these are the dialkyl ethers such as diethyl ether, di-n-octyl ether and methy- t -butyl ether, and most preferred is methyl tert butyl ether. Although the use of stoichiometric, or greater, amounts of ethers in conjunction with alkyllithiums is known to substantially enhance the latter's reactivity with a number of different substrates, including chlorosilanes, the employment of catalytic quantities in the order of less than 0.05 moles per mole of alkyllithium is not known. The rate enhancement which the presence of these ethers brings to the reaction is totally unexpected. Enhancement factors as high 200 times (see Table 1) have been experienced with the use of as little as one mole percent, based on alkyllithium, of ethers, such as THF and n-octyl ether. On the other hand, we have found that the use of stoichiometric or greater quantities of these ethers in such reactions drastically reduces the yields of desired product obtained (see Table 2), and such quantities of ethers are to be avoided. Tris-hydrocarbylamines such as e.g., cyclic and acyclic tertiary amines including triethylamine, tri-n-butylamine, N, N, N', N'-tetramethylethyleneenediamine, pentamethyldiethylenetriamine, triethylenediamine, N-methylaniline are also useful. Like tertiary phosphines are also useful, As mentioned above under a description of the catalysts or protocatalysts of Formula II chemical compounds useful in practicing this invention are organic compounds reactable with alkyllithiums to form metal alkoxides, which include alcohols, aldehydes, such as acetaldehyde and benzaldehyde; ketones, such as acetone, acetophenone and benzophenone; esters, such as ethyl acetate, and ethyl benzoate; and carboxylic acids such as acetic and benzoic acids. Preferred among these are C 1 to C 8 alkyl aldehydes, ketones, esters and carboxylic acids. Also of value are organic compounds such as benzonitrile, acetonitrile, hexanenitrile, N-methylacetamide and the like. Catalysts and/or catalyst precursors of this invention are also formed by the reaction of alkyllithium compounds with inorganic compounds. For example, water, even in its hydrated form, reacts to form catalysts. Components of air, such as carbon dioxide and oxygen react to form compounds which function as catalysts or catalyst precursors. These catalysts or protocatalysts are less active than some of the organic compound types mentioned above (see Table 1). The catalysts and or catalyst precursors used to produce organometalloidal compounds can be utilized in various ways. For example, the catalyst or catalyst precursors such as alcohols, metal alkoxides, ethers or silyl ethers can be added: [a] directly to the reaction mixture; [b] to the alkyllithium reagent; or [c] to the chlorosilane reactant. The alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, esters, carboxylic acids and carboxylic acid anhydrides and other organic compounds can be reacted with an alkyllithium compound to form a metal alkoxide of Formula II, and the resulting metal alkoxide added to the reaction or these organic compounds can be reacted with the alkyllithium in place. Solvents useful in the process of this invention are preferably liquid hydrocarbons such as saturated aliphatics containing 4 to 8 carbon atoms, saturated cycloaliphatics containing 6 to 9 carbon atoms and aromatics containing 6 to 9 carbon atoms which include, but are not limited to pentane, hexane, heptane, cyclohexane, cumene and toluene. All reactions should be carried out under an inert atmosphere. The reaction is conveniently and preferably conducted at atmospheric pressure although higher and lower pressures can be employed if desired. Use of higher pressures permit use of propane and butane as solvents. Reaction temperatures can range from 0 to 50 degrees centigrade, and preferably are in the range of 20 to 40 degrees centigrade. This preferred temperature range helps control the amount of impurities formed during reaction. Reactions are sufficiently exothermic employing the catalysts and protocatalysts of this invention so as not to require the supply of added heat which is normally necessary for uncatalyzed reactions. The mole percent of catalyst employed is generally in the range of 0.01 to 10 mole percent, based on the alkyllithium employed or being formed, with the preferred range being 0.02 to 3.0 mole percent with about one mole percent being most preferred, in the hydrocarbon solvent reaction medium. Use of this lower percentage is an advantage in the recovery and purification of the final product in that little or no by-products resulting from reaction of the metal derivative of the catalyst with the chlorosilane is observed in the desired final product. As shown in Table 1, the preferred catalysts or catalyst precursors for catalyzing the alkylation of metalloidal substrates are aliphatic primary and secondary alcohols, their metal alkoxides and aliphatic ethers (Formulae I, II, III). However, the operator may choose a substance from the Table on the basis of a desired reaction rate, its boiling range in relation to the desired product, or any number of other factors. For example, in the preparation of t -butyldimethylchlorosilane, a preferred substance is 2-methyl-1-pentanol (2-MPOH), which offers a reasonably fast reaction rate at 20 to 40°C. In addition, the 2-MPOH forms a by-product silyl ether which does not interfere in the purification by distillation from the deposited t -butyl-dimethylchlorosilane. The relative proportion of reactants can be fairly close to stoichiometric, generally only about 3 mole percent or less of the chlorosilane in excess over the alkyllithium being required. This can be compared with 5 mole percent required in the uncatalyzed reaction. The overall concentration of the product of reaction can be as high as desired, but is generally in the order of about 1 to 2 molar. Some of the catalyst or catalysts precursors of this invention (see Table 1) accelerate the rate of reaction with metalloidal substrates to such an extent that the process is amenable to continuous, as well as batch, reactors. The yields of products obtained using the preferred catalysts of the invention are generally in the range of at least 90% or more and 90 to 100% when reacting a bulky alkyllithium compound with a chlorosilane. In addition, recoveries of products on distillation of the products of the latter reaction are also higher (90-100%), because of fewer impurities formed [by-products] and lesser chlorosilane reactant needed. The purity of the distilled products is of the order of 99+%. Silanes useful in the process of this invention can be simple chlorosilanes, SiCl x H 4-x , in which x is an integer of from 1 to 4, such as, SiCl 4 , SiClH 3 , and SiCl 2 H 2 , alkylchlorosilanes, R x SiCl y and mixed types, R x SiCl y H z , such as, RSiCl 3 , R 2 SiCl 2 , R 3 SiCl, and R 2 SiClH, where R is a lower alkyl group containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms, but preferably the alkyl group is methyl and ethyl, x is a value of 1 to 3, y and z each has a value of 1 or 2, y + z is equal to 2 or 3 and x + y + Z is equal to the valence of silicon. Organolithium compounds useful in the reactions with organometalloidal substrates have the formula RLi wherein R is an alkyl group containing 3 to 12 carbon atoms which include, but are not limited to, isobutyllithium, sec-butyllithium, tert-butyllithium, neopentyllithium, 2-ethylhexyllithium, n-hexyllithium, n-octyllithium, and iso-propyllithium. Preferably, the alkyllithium compound contains 3 to 6 carbon atoms and is most preferably selected from isopropyllithium, tert-butyllithium, isobutyllithium and sec-butyllithium. Final products produced by the process of the invention include, but are not limited to, compounds represented by the formulas R 1 SiCl 3 , [R 1 ] 2 Si[Cl] 2 , RR 1 SiCl 2 , R 2 R 1 SiCl, R 3 R 1 Si, R 1 SiH 3 , RR 1 SiClH,and [R 1 ] 2 SiClH and the like wherein R contains 1 to 4 carbon atoms and R 1 contains 3 to 12 carbon atoms. Compounds which can be prepared according to this invention include, but are not limited to, compounds such as t -butyldimethylchlorosilane, methyltri-n-octylsilane, di- t -butylsilane, di-t-butyldichlorosilane, and methyl- tert-butylchlorosilane and the like. No special conditions of pressure or stirring are necessary in practicing the process of this invention. All reactions should be carried out under an inert atmosphere. The following Examples further illustrate the invention. Unless indicated otherwise, temperatures are in degrees Centigrade and reactions were done at atmospheric pressure under an argon atmosphere using clean, carefully dried equipment. The reaction rate of conversion was monitored by analyzing a small sample of the reaction mixture by Gas-Liquid Chromatography (GLC) analysis which may be termed simply gas chromatographic analysis. EXAMPLE 1 Synthesis of t-Butyldimethylchlorosilane Employing Isopropanol as Catalyst A reactor equipped with a reflux condenser an addition funnel for adding liquid materials to the reactor, a temperature indicating device, and means for stirring the reaction mass, was charged under an argon atmosphere with 0.815 moles of t-butyllithium as a 16 weight percent solution in pentane. The addition funnel was charged with 0.52 grams (0.0086 moles) of isopropyl alcohol which was further diluted with 25 milliliters of pentane. The mixture in the addition funnel was then added dropwise to the solution of t-butyllithium in the reactor. The temperature rose from 21 to 24.2°C. Next, 107.8 grams (0.815 moles) of dimethyldichlorosilane (DMDCS) was charged to the addition funnel and diluted with 110 milliliters of pentane. The temperature of the reaction mass was raised to 34°C, and the mixture in the addition funnel was slowly added (dropwise) to the reaction mass. The reaction mass was again heated to raise the reaction temperature to 35.2°C, and after this heating no further external heating was required. The slow addition of the silane was complete after a total elapsed time of one hour and fifty-five minutes, at which time the reaction temperature was 36.6°C. The reaction was continued with agitation and samples occasionally taken for gas-chromatographic (GC) analysis. The temperature peaked at 37.8°C after 3 hours and 25 minutes from starting the DMDCS addition. The temperature slowly declined over the next three hours to 30.9°C. The reaction, with slowed agitation, was left overnight at which time the temperature was 23°C, and a sample was removed for GC analysis. Agitation was continued at a temperature of 23°C for an additional 4 hours and 50 minutes when another sample was taken for GC analysis. The reaction mass was transferred to a glass filter funnel and filtered to obtain a clear solution. The solid filtration residue was washed with three times with 30 milliliter aliquots of pentane. The washes were combined with the main filtrate obtaining a total weight of solution of 460.1 grams. A total of 114.6 grams (0.76 moles) of t-butyldimethylchlorosilane was obtained by fractional distillation of the final product solution. The recovered yield was 94.3% based on t-butyllithium employed and the purity of the product was 99.65%. Gas chromatographic analyses indicated 90% conversion of dimethyldichlorosilane to t-butyldimethylchlorosilane (TBDMCS) in four hours with 100% conversion in six hours. EXAMPLE 2 Synthesis t-Butyldimethylchlorosilane Employing Isopropanol as Catalyst-Inverse Addition A reactor slightly larger, but similarly equipped to the reactor in Example 1, was charged (under argon) with 101.6 grams (0.788 moles) of DMDCS and diluted with 110 milliliters of pentane. A preformed solution of lithium isopropoxide (75 milliequivalents) in pentane was added to 290.8 grams (0.741 moles) of t -butyllithium in pentane (16.3 weight percent). The t -butyllithium-lithium isopropoxide mixture was then charged to the addition funnel. The contents of the reactor were heated to 34°C, and a slow dropwise addition of the contents of the addition funnel was started. The reaction mass was agitated continuously during the reaction. After 38 minutes the reaction mass temperature reached 41.8°C, and external heating was ended. Addition of the t -butyllithium-lithium isopropoxide mixture continued for a total period of 3 hours and 10 minutes. The reaction was allowed to continue with agitation for another 24 hours and 5 minutes during which time the reaction mass temperature descended to room temperature (23.4°C). The reaction was monitored by removing a sample from time to time for GC analysis. The reaction mass was transferred to a glass filter funnel and filtered. The solid filtration residue was washed three times with 60 ml aliquots of pentane and combined with the main filtrate. A total of 509.6 grams of clear filtrate solution was obtained in 15 minutes. A total of 106.2 grams (0.705 moles) of t-butyldimethylchlorosilane was obtained by fractional distillation of the filtrate. The recovered yield was 95.1% based on t-butyllithium employed and the purity of the distilled product was 99.1%. Gas chromatographic analyses indicated 90% conversion of dimethyldichlorosilane to t-butyldimethylchlorosilane 3 hours, and 100% conversion in 5 hours. EXAMPLE 3 Synthesis TBDMCS Employing 1 Mole percent THF A reactor similarly equipped to the reactor in Example 1 was charged (under argon) with 131.9 grams (1.02 moles) of DMDCS, 100 milliliters of pentane and 0.813 grams (11.2 millimoles) of tetrahydrofuran (THF). Next, 401 grams of 15.96 weight percent t-butyllithium in pentane (1.00 moles) was charged to the addition funnel. The reaction was begun at a temperature of 17.9°C by the dropwise addition of t-butyllithium to the reactor. The reaction was exothermic and immediately formed a white precipitate. After 12 minutes of slow feed the reaction temperature had reached 27.6°C, and after 40 minutes time to add about 15% of the total t-butyllithium feed, the reaction had reached a constant reflux (40.2°C). The reaction mass remained at reflux with no external heating during the remainder of the t-butyllithium feed (2 hours and 55 minutes). GC analysis of a sample taken 5 minutes after completion of the t-butyllithium feed indicated 97.4% conversion of dimethyldichlorosilane to t-butyldimethylchlorosilane. Also indicating complete reaction was the fact that the reflux ceased, and the reaction temperature immediately began to drop after completion of the t-butyllithium feed. The reaction mass was stirred for several more hours. The reaction mass was transferred to a glass filter funnel and filtered.- The solid filtration residue was washed four times with 50 ml aliquots of pentane and combined with the main filtrate. A total of 465.6 grams of clear filtrate was obtained in 20 minutes. A total of 128.7 grams of t-butyldimethylchlorosilane was obtained by fractional distillation of the filtrate. The recovered yield was 85.4% based on t-butyllithium employed, and the purity of the distilled product was 98.9%. Gas chromatographic analyses indicated about 100% conversion of dimethyldichlorosilane to t-butyldimethylchlorosilane in 3 hours which was almost equal to the t-butyllithium feed rate. EXAMPLE 4 Synthesis TBDMCS Employing 1 Mole Percent Di-n-hexyl Ether Example 3 was repeated except 2.23 grams di-n-hexyl ether (11.9 millimoles), 124.0 grams dimethyldichlorosilane (0.960 moles) and 150 ml pentane were charged to the reactor and 397.9 grams of 15.19 wt. % t-butyllithium (0.944 moles) was charged to the addition funnel. Fractional distillation of the filtered final product yielded 129.3 grams of t-butyldimethylchlorosilane which represented a 90.9% recovered yield based on t-butyllithium employed. Gas chromatographic analyses indicated 100% conversion of dimethyldichlorosilane to t-butyldimethylchlorosilane in less than 4 hours. Again, conversion was rapid and almost equal to the t-butyllithium feed rate (3 hours and 21 minutes). Purity of the distilled product was 99.6%. EXAMPLE 5 Catalyst Screening Procedure The catalyst screening or evaluation procedure involved setting up a t-butyldimethylchlorosilane synthesis reaction which employed no catalyst. Samples were periodically taken from the reaction mass for GLC analysis in order to determine the rate of conversion of dichlorodimethylsilane to t-butyldimethylchlorosilane. Once analyzed, small amounts of potential catalysts or catalyst precursors (usually 1 to 3 mole % based on t-butyllithium) were added to each sample. These samples were also analyzed periodically by GLC in order to determine relative conversion rates as compared to the non-catalyzed reaction. Usually, in this manner, four or five candidate catalytic compounds could be evaluated in a day. A reactor slightly smaller, but similarly equipped to the reactor in Example 1 was charged with 50 milliliters of 12.7 wt. % t-butyllithium in pentane (0.066 moles) and 9.6 grams of dichlorodimethylsilane (0.074 moles). The reaction mass was agitated continuously during the reaction but, was not heated. After 25 minutes, 2 milliliters of the reaction mass was transferred via syringe to a pre-dried and argon purged 5 ml serum bottle which was capped with a rubber septum. One microliter of solution was taken from the bottle for GLC analysis and then a potential catalyst (e.g., 0.07 millimole water) was added to the contents of the bottle via microliter syringe. From time to time the contents of the serum bottle were analyzed by GLC to determine the affect of the additive on the rate of conversion. This procedure was repeated many times with various hydrocarbon solvent reaction media, and candidate catalysts or protocatalysts. Each reaction was monitored by GLC and compared to the non-catalyzed reaction. The results of the catalyst screening were calculated in terms of relative rates of conversion versus non-catalyzed reactions; these data and the identification of the compounds evaluated are presented in Table 1. EXAMPLE 6 Synthesis t-Butyltrichlorosilane Employing Di-n-Hexyl Ether (0.05 Mole%) as Catalyst A reactor similarly equipped to the reactor described in Example 1 was charged with 603.3 grams (3.55 moles) of silicon tetrachloride and 150 ml hexane. Next, 1258 grams of t-butyllithium (3.47 moles) in pentane was charged to the addition funnel. The reaction was begun at room temperature (23.8°C) by the slow addition of t-butyllithium to the reactor. The temperature quickly rose to 29.6°C due to the moisture content of the silicon tetrachloride and then began to drop. Further addition of t-butyllithium failed to raise the temperature indicating to the slowness of reaction. The reaction mass was heated to 53.7°C (reflux) as the t-butyllithium was being continually added. Heating was continued for the next hour at which time about 11% of the total t-butyllithium charge had been fed. At the elevated temperature, the reaction rate was still slow as evidenced by the need for heat in order to maintain reflux. The t-butyllithium feed and heating was stopped and the reaction mass was allowed to cool to just below reflux (50.8°C). Then, 0.4 ml (1.5 millimoles) of di-n-hexyl ether (DHE) was added to the contents of the reactor. The temperature of the reaction mass immediately rose to reflux temperature (51.5°C) and reflux continued for the next 27 minutes. The remaining t-butyllithium was fed (dropwise) over the next 9 hours and 49 minutes. During this time, the reaction rate was nearly equal to the t-butyllithium feed rate with reaction requiring no added heat to sustain a reflux. However, when the t-butyllithium feed was stopped the temperature quickly dropped and the reflux subsided. The faster reaction rate can be attributed to the small amount of DHE catalyst (0.043 mole% based on t-butyllithium employed). The reaction mass was allowed to cool and stand overnight with no stirring. The reaction mass was transferred to a glass filtration funnel and filtered to remove solid lithium chloride. The solid filtration residue was washed four times with 100 ml aliquots of pentane and which were combined with the main filtrate. A total of 1811.9 grams of clear filtrate was obtained in 8 minutes. A total of 631.6 grams of t-butyltrichlorosilane was obtained by fractional distillation. The recovered (isolated) yield was 95% based on the amount of t-butyllithium employed and the purity of the distilled product was 99.7%. COMPARISON EXAMPLES A. t-Butyldimethylchlorosilane Synthesis Employing No Catalyst A comparison experiment employing no catalyst was also carried out. A reactor similarly equipped to the reactor described in Example 1 was charged (under argon) with 54.9 grams (0.425 moles) of DMDCS and 75 milliliters of pentane. Next, 124.8 grams of a 20.7 wt. % solution of t-butyllithium in pentane (0.403 moles) was charged to the addition funnel. The contents of the reactor were preheated to 36°C, and a slow addition of t-butyllithium was begun. Heating was continued for the next 7 hours in order to maintain the reaction temperature between 38 and 41° C. The reaction mass was continuously agitated during the reaction. Addition of the t-butyllithium was completed in 2 hours and 23 minutes. The reaction was allowed to continue for 141 additional hours with agitation and no heating. The reaction was monitored by removing a sample from time to time for gc analysis. The reaction mass was transferred to a glass filter funnel and filtered. The solid filtration residue was washed twice with 100 milliliter aliquots of pentane. GLC analysis indicated a 95.6% yield of t-butyldimethylchlorosilane. Gas chromatographic analyses indicated 90% conversion of dimethyldichlorosilane to t-butyldimethylchlorosilane in 70 hours and 100% conversion in 148 hours. B.-D. t-Butyldimethylchlorosilane Syntheses Emnloying Large Amounts of Ether Example 5 was repeated several times except large amounts of ethers (ether/t-butyllithium mole ratio range = 1 to 3.6) were employed. The reagents employed and results are presented in Table 2: The filtration residue in each experiment contained a silicon polymer which accounted for yield loss. Thus, the use of stoichiometric or greater amounts of ethers greatly reduces the yield of TBSCL; whereas, employment of catalytic amounts of ethers, unexpectedly result in higher yields, and greatly accelerates the reaction. E. t-Butyltrichlorosilane Synthesis Employing No Catalyst A comparison synthesis of t-butyltrichlorosilane employing no catalyst was carried out. A reactor similarly equipped to the reactor described in Example 1 was charged (under argon) with 181.98 grams (1.07 moles) of silicon tetrachloride and 200 ml hexane. Next 328 grams of a 20.3 wt.% solution of t-butyllithium in pentane (1.04 moles) was charged to the addition funnel. The reaction was begun by adding 75 ml t-butyllithium to the stirred contents of the reactor. The reaction was very slow as evidenced by only a slight rise in temperature (24.0 to 25.7°C) in 2 hours and the appearance of little or no lithium chloride. The contents of the reactor were then heated to reflux (57.3°C) and after 16 minutes the reaction mass began to slowly become cloudy with lithium chloride indicating at least some reaction. The remaining t-butyllithium solution was added over a period of 3 hours and 2 minutes while heating to maintain the reaction temperature at a steady reflux. The reaction mass was heated (reflux) for several additional hours and then left stirring over the weekend. Active carbon lithium analysis of the reaction mass indicated that no t-butyllithium remained at this time. The reaction mass was transferred to a glass filter funnel and filtered to remove solid lithium chloride. A total of 638.3 grams of a clear light yellow solution was obtained by filtration. Fractional distillation of the filtrate yielded 124.3 grams (0.649 moles) of t-butyltrichlorosilane. The recovered yield was 62.4% based on the amount of t-butyllithium employed. The purity of the main cut was 98.9%. Hydrocarbons useful in practicing this invention are liquid aliphatic, cycloaliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons. These include but are not limied to isopentane, pentane, hexane, cyclohexane, heptane, 2-ethylhexane, octane and mixtures thereof. CATALYST SCREENING RESULTS COMPOUND( ) CHANGE ( ) % TIME ( ) min % ( ) CHANGE/MIN RELATIVE ( ) Ethyl Ether 74 4 18.50 264 Amyl Ether 73 4 18.25 261 TMEDA 78 4 16.25 232 THF (1 mole %) 78 5 15.60 223 t-Butyl Methyl Ether 78 5 15.60 223 Diethoxymethane 78 5 15.60 223 Dimethoxyethane 77 5 15.40 220 Di-n-hexyl ether 70 5 14.00 200 Di-n-octyl ether 63 5 12.60 180 Di-n-butyl ether 61 5 12.20 174 Cyclohexanol 72 10 7.20 103 Butoxytriglycol 70 15 4.66 66 Isopropanol (3 mole %) 75 20 3.75 54 Ethanol 81 30 2.70 39 Triethylamine 69 84 0.82 12 Benzyl Alcohol 81 108 0.75 11 Acetonitrile 76 180 0.42 6 CDMIS ( ) 76 147 0.42 7 Anisole 76 185 0.41 6 Hexanenitrile 78 195 0.40 6 Acetophenone 80 200 0.40 6 3-Heptanone 80 210 0.38 5 n-Heptaldehyde 72 190 0.38 5 Carbon Dioxide 52 140 0.37 5 Water 81 220 0.37 5 TBDMIS( ) 80 230 0.35 5 Ethylene Glycol 63 210 0.30 4 2-MPOH( ) (1 mole %) 90 310 0.29 4 Mg(2-MPO) 2 71 240 0.30 4 Diphenyl ether 66 240 0.28 4 Acetic Acid 73 275 0.27 4 Isopropanol (1 mole %) 90 360 0.25 4 Air (10 mole %) 59 250 0.24 3 Hexamethyl-disiloxane 58 255 0.23 3 N-Methyl-acetamide 50 220 0.23 3 2,3-Dimethyl-2-butanol 78 405 0.19 3 n-Hexylamine 77 420 0.18 3 Thiophenol 64 365 0.18 3 Benzonitrile 67 420 0.16 2 N-Methylaniline 78 500 0.16 2 Potassium t-butoxide 78 720 0.16 2 t-butanol (6 mole %) 66 555 0.12 2 Dodecane( ) (blank) 81 936 0.09 1 None (standard) 70 960 0.07 1 SYNTHESES t-BUTYLDIMETHYLCHLOROSILANE (TBSCL) EMPLOYING VARIOUS AMOUNTS OF ETHERS Example Number t-BuLi moles DMDCS moles Ether TBSCL Yield % type moles B 0.103 0.103 THF 0.3690 16.3 C 0.103 0.103 THF 0.103 34.2 5 1.00 1.02 THF 0.0112 97.8 D 0.103 0.103 DOE 0.103 65.9 6 0.944 0.960 DHE 0.0119 100 8 3.47 3.55 DHE 0.05 100

Claims: A catalytic process for alkylating chlorosilanes by reacting an alkyllithium compound of the formula RLi wherein R is an alkyl group containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms with a chlorosilane characterized by conducting the reaction in a hydrocarbon solvent in the presence of a catalytic compound, in an amount ranging from 0.1 to 3 mole percent based on the amount of alkyllithium, selected from (A) a compound represented by the formula (R 3 ) x (RR 1 R 2 M a )yA(H) z wherein: R, R 1 and R 2 are independently slected from: hydrogen; alkyl and alkenyl groups containing 1 to 13 carbon atoms; cycloalkyl groups containing 3 to 10 carbon atoms; and aryl groups containing 6 to 18 carbon atoms; R 3 is independently selected from: aryl groups containing 6 to 18 carbon atoms; four to six-membered heterocyclic carbon containing groups containing one to two hetero atoms selected from oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur; hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, and mono- and dialkylaminoalkyl groups containing 2 to 13 carbon atoms; M a is a silicon or carbon; A is selected from oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen and phosphorous; x and y independently have values from zero to two, z has a value of one or two and x+y+z equals the valence of A; (B) a compound represented by the formula [(R 3 ) x (RR 1 R 2 M a ) y A(H) z ] w M b wherein: R, R 1 and R 2 are independently selected from hydrogen; alkyl and alkenyl groups containing 1 to 13 carbon atoms; cycloalkyl groups containing 3 to 10 carbon atoms; and aryl groups containing 6 to 18 carbon atoms; R 3 is independently selected from aryl groups contain 6 to 18 carbon atoms, four to six-membered heterocyclic carbon containing groups containing one to two hetero atoms selected from oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur; hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, or an alkoxyalkoxyalkyl or an alkoxyalkoxyalkoxyalkyl group containing 2 to 13 carbon atoms derived from methoxethanol, methoxyethoxyethanol, ethoxyethanol, ethoxyethoxyethanol, butoxyethoxyethoxyethanol, and mono- and dialkylaminoalkyl groups containing 2 to 13 carbon atoms; M a is silicon or carbon; A is selected from oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen and phosphorous; M b is selected from lithium, sodium, potassium and magnesium; x and y independently have values from zero to two and z has a Value of zero or one with the proviso that x+y+z is equivalent to the valence of A, and w has a value of one or two; (C) a compound represented by the formula (RR 1 R 2 M a ) y A(R 3 ) x wherein: R, R 1 and R 2 are independently selected from: hydrogen; halogen; alkyl and alkenyl groups containing 1 to 13 carbon atoms; cycloalkyl groups cotaining 3 to 10 carbon atoms; and aryl groups containing 6 to 18 carbon atoms; R 3 is independently selected from aryl groups containing 6 to 18 carbon atoms; four to six-membered heterocyclic carbon containing groups containing one to two hetero atoms selected from oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur; hydroxyalkyl groups and alkoxyalkyl groups containing 2 to 13 carbon atoms and mono-and dialkylaminoalkyl groups containing 2 to 13 carbon atoms; M a is selected from silicon or carbon, A is selected from oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen and phosporous, and x and y independently have values from zero to three, with the proviso that x+y are equal to the valence of A, (D) a compound of formula III wherein A is oxygen, M a is carbon, both x and y are one, R, R 1 and R 2 each individually represent hydrogen or alkyl groups containing 1 to 13 carbon atoms and R 3 is an alkyl group, (E) a compound selected from chlorodimethylisopropoxysilane, t-butyldimethylisopropoxysilane, trimethylisopropoxysilane, dichloromethylisopropoxysilane, and hexamethyldisiloxane, (F) a cyclic ether selected from tetrahydrofuran, methyltetrahydrofuran and tetrahydropyran, (G) a compound selected from 1, 4-diazabicyclo [2,2,2] octane, methyldibutylamine triethylenediamine, pentamethylethylenetriamine, and isopropyl cyclohexylamine, (H) a compound selected from cyclohexanol; diethyleneglycol and a monoether of diethyleneglycol. (I) mixtures of (A), (B), (C), (D), (E), (F), (G) and (H) above. A process as claimed in claim 1 in which the chlorosilane is selected from compounds of the formula R x SiCl y H z wherein R is an alkyl group containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms, x and z independently have values from zero to three, and y has a value from one to four. A process as claimed in claim 2, in which the compound of the formula R x SiCl y H z is selected from compounds of the formula SiCl 4 , SiHCl 3 , SiH 2 Cl 2 , RSiCl 3 , RSiHCl 2 , R 2 SiCl 2 and R 3 SiCl. A process as claimed in claim 1, in which the compound of formula 1 is a mono-, di, or polyhydric primary or secondary alcohol containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms or a tertiary alcohol. A process as claimed in claim 4, in which the alcohol is selected from : methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, n-, iso-, and sec-butanol, n-hexanol, n-octanol, 2-methylpentanol, 2-ethyl hexanol, cyclohexanol, ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol and their mono ethers, glycerol, benzyl alcohol, phenol, t-butanol and 2,3-dimethyl - 2-butanol. A process as claimed in claim 1 in which the compound of formula I is a mono-hydrocarbyl amine or a bis-hydrocarbyl amine containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms. A process as claimed in claim 6 in which the mono-hydrocarbyl amine or bis-hydrocarbyl amine containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms is selected from : methylamine, ethylamine, propylamine, sec-butylamine, di-2-ethylhexylamine, diethylamine, and N.N'-dimethylethylenediamine. A process as claimed in claim 1 in which the compound of Formula II [(R 3 ) x (RR 1 R 2 M a ) y A(H) z ] w (M b ) is a metal alkoxide wherein M a is a silicon or carbon, A is oxygen, M b is selected from lithium, sodium, or potassium; x and y independently have values from zero to two with the proviso that x+y+z is two, z has a value of zero or one and w has a value of 1. A process as claimed in claim 8 in which the metal alkoxide is selected from lithium ethoxide, lithium isopropoxide, lithium 2-methylpentyloxide, lithium n-octyloxide, lithium n-hexyloxide, and lithium benzyloxide. A process as claimed in claim 8, in which the metal alkoxide is formed in place by the reaction of an alkyllithium of the formula RLi wherein R is an alkyl group containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms with an organic compound containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms selected from aldehydes, ketones, esters, carboxylic acids, carboxylic acid anhydrides and ethers. A process as claimed in claim 10, in which the organic compound is selected from acetaldehyde, benzaldehyde, acetone, acetophenone, benzophenone, ethyle acetate, ethyl benzoate, acetic acid and benzoic acid. A process as claimed in claim 8, in which M a is lithium and R 3 is an alkoxyalkyl or an alkoxyalkoxyalkyl or an alkoxyalkoxyalkoxyalkyl group derived from methoxyethanol, methoxyethoxyethanol, ethoxyethanol, ethoxyethoxyethanol and butoxyethoxyethoxyethanol. A process as claimed in claim 1, in which the compound of Formula II [(R 3 ) x (RR 1 R 2 M a ) y A(H) z ] w (M b ) is a metal mono- or bis-hydrocarbylamide or imide compound. A process as claimed in claim 1, in which the compound of Formula II is a metal mono- or bis hydrocarbylamide selected form lithium n-hexylamide, lithium diisopropylamide, lithium 2-ethylhexylamide, lithium bis-2- ethylhexylamide, lithium diisobutylamide and lithium hexamethyldisilazane. A process as claimed in claim 1, in which the compound of Formula III is a hydrocarbyl ether wherein M a is carbon, A is oxygen, and x+y is two. A process as claimed in claim 15, in which the hydrocarbyl ether is selected from diethyl ether, dimethyl ether, methyl - t -butyl ether, dibutyl ether, diamyl ether, di-n- hexyl ether, di-n-octyl ether, and the dimethyl ether of diethylene glycol. A process as claimed in claim 16, in which the hydrocarbyl ether is selected from diethyl ether, di-n-octyl ether and methyl- t -butyl ether. A process as claimed in claim 16, in which the hydrocarbyl ether is methyl- t -butyl ether. A process as claimed in claim 1, in which the compound of Formula III (RR 1 R 2 M a ) y A(R 3 ) x is a tris-hydrocarbylamine, wherein M a is carbon, A is nitrogen, and x+y is three. A process as claimed in claim 19, in which the tris-hydrocarbylamine is selected from triethylamine, tributylamine, trihexylamine, trimethylamine, tetramethylethylene diamine, and pentamethyldiethylenetriamine. A process as claimed in claim 1 in which the compound of Formula III: (RR 1 R 2 M a ) y A(R 3 ) x is a mixed hydrocarbylsilyl ether wherein M a is a silicon, A is a oxygen, and x and y are one. A process as claimed in claim 1, in which the compound of Formula III is a bis-organosilyl ether wherein M a is silicon, A is oxygen, x is zero and y is two. A process as claimed in claim 1, in which the reaction is maintained at temperatures between -76 and 50°C. A process as claimed in claim 1, in which the reaction is maintained at temperatures between 20 and 40°C.

Inventors: DOVER BOB TROY, ENGEL JOHN FRANCIS, HALL RANDY WINFRED, KAMIENSKI CONRAD WILLIAM, MORRISON ROBERT CHARLES, DOVER, BOB TROY, ENGEL, JOHN FRANCIS, HALL, RANDY WINFRED, KAMIENSKI, CONRAD WILLIAM, MORRISON, ROBERT CHARLES
Applicants: FMC CORP, FMC CORPORATION
Application year: 1992
Main classification: C07F7
IPC codes: B01J31, C07B61, C07F7, C07F1