Equilibration of cyclic siloxanes with novel catalysts

Claim 2

A process, said process comprising, contacting at least one cyclic siloxane with at least one catalyzing organosilicon compound at a temperature and a time sufficient to redistribute said cyclic siloxane under anhydrous conditions.

Claim 3

A process, said process comprising, contacting at least one cyclic siloxane having the general formula (R 2 SiO)x with a catalyzing organosilicon compound having the general formulas (R' 3 SiA) and ##STR4## at a temperature from -78° C. to 80° C.; and for a time of 1 to 72 hours under anhydrous conditions wherein R' and R" are selected from the group comprising alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, alkenyl, haloalkyl, thioalkyl, diakylamino, diarylamino, alkylarylamino, thioaryl, alkoxy, aryloxy, and alkaryl groups having one to sixteen carbon atoms; and R and R" are hydrogen or R'; x is an integer having a value of from three to twelve; n is an integer having a value of from two to seven; and A is a non-nucleophilic anion.

Claim 4

A process, said process comprising, contacting at least one cyclic siloxane having the general formula (R 2 SiO)x with a catalyzing organosilicon compound having the general formulas (R' 3 SiA) and ##STR4## at a temperature from -78° C. to 80° C.; and for a time of 1 to 72 hours under anhydrous conditions wherein R' and R" are selected from the group comprising alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, alkenyl, haloalkyl, thioalkyl, diakylamino, diarylamino, alkylarylamino, thioaryl, alkoxy, aryloxy, and alkaryl groups having one to sixteen carbon atoms; and R and R" are hydrogen or R'; x is an integer having a value of from three to twelve; n is an integer having a value of from two to seven; and A is a non-nucleophilic anion.

Claim 5

The process of claim 2, wherein each alkyl group is methyl.

Claim 6

The process of claim 2, wherein R is methyl and R' is phenyl.

Claim 7

The process of claim 2, wherein the temperature range is 25° C. to 80° C.

Claim 8

The process of claim 2, wherein the temperature is from 25° C. to 50° C.

Claim 9

The process of claim 2, wherein the time is from 2 to 50 hours.

Claim 10

The process of claim 2, wherein the time is from 2 to 30 hours.

Claim 11

The process of claim 2, wherein additionally a solvent is present.

Claim 12

The process of claim 9, wherein said solvent is CH 2 Cl 2 .

Claim 13

The process of claim 9, wherein said solvent is CH 3 CN.

Claim 14

The process of claim 2, wherein the siloxanes (R 2 SiO)x are a mixture of cyclic siloxanes.

Claim 15

The process of claim 2, wherein the concentration of R' 3 SiA is 10 -5 to 10 -2 moles per liter.

Claim 16

The process of claim 2, wherein the contact takes place using an inert gas atmosphere.

Claim 17

The process of claim 14, wherein the said gas is selected from a group consisting essentially of argon, nitrogen and helium.

Claim 18

The process of claim 2, wherein R' 3 SiA is PhMe 2 SiClO 4 .

Claim 19

The process of claim 2, wherein ##STR5##