Slurry phase reaction of elemental silicon with methanol in the presence of copper: Direct synthesis of trimethoxysilane

Abstract

Slurry phase reaction of elemental silicon with methanol has been studied in the presence of copper uosing a smoall amount of cuprous chloride as an activator in DBT (dibenzyltoluene) at various temperatures from 200 °C to 320 °C. Trimethoxysilane (1a) with a Si-H unit was obtained as the major product and tetramethoxysilane (1b) as the minor product. The reaction wo roked well using a 0.5 wt % CuCl as an activator. The optimum temperature for this direct synthesis of 1a was 240 °C. Methoxysilanes were obtained in 95% yield with 81% selectivity to 1a from 85% conversion of elemental silicon.