Synthesis of pentacoordinate silicates. Need for a more direct synthesis. Time course of reaction at different temperatures. Effect of catalysts. Traditionally, alkoxysilanes have been prepared from alcohols and chlorosilanes, which are in turn prepared from metallic silicones.
Metallic silicones are prepared from silica.
Synthesis of alkoxysilanes directly from silica would eliminate the intermediate steps. Silica gel reacts with dimethyl carbonate to produce tetramethoxysilane. The time course of the reaction is studied with respect to temperature. The effects of different types of catalysts are observed and the effect of heat treatment of the silica gel. The kinetics of the reaction are studied and reaction mechanisms are proposed.