Chlorine-Free Organic Silicon Preparation via Alkoxy Silane Condensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for preparing organic silicon compounds often result in products with residual chloride content, leading to corrosion issues in hydraulic systems under high pressure.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the reaction of alkoxy alkyl silanes and cyclic siloxanes with alkoxy alkanols in the presence of an acid or base, at temperatures between 0 to 200°C, to produce chlorine-free organic silicon compounds with high yield and purity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If organosilanes are prepared by reacting alkyl silyl chlorides with alcohols, then the preparation process is simple, but residual chloride content causes corrosion in hydraulic systems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepreparation process simplicityVSAvoidcorrosion in hydraulic system
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the harmful chloride component by replacing alkyl silyl chlorides with alkoxysilanes as starting material. The alkoxy groups (-OR) in alkoxysilanes are hydrolyzed to form silanol groups that condense to create siloxane bonds, completely avoiding chloride residue and its associated corrosion problems in hydraulic systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the chemical parameter of the starting material from chloride-containing alkyl silyl chlorides to chloride-free alkoxysilanes. This parameter change transforms the reaction pathway from one that produces corrosive HCl byproduct to one that produces alcohol byproduct, thereby eliminating the harmful effect while maintaining the condensation reaction mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If polysiloxane is first reacted with alcohol then with glycol and glycol ether, then the reaction can proceed, but high-molecular-weight residue is formed that cannot be used in subsequent reaction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereaction progressionVSAvoidhigh-molecular-weight residue
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention performs preliminary action by pre-modifying the polysiloxane with alkoxy alkanols to introduce reactive hydroxyl groups before the main condensation reaction. This preliminary modification ensures that the polysiloxane chains have appropriate reactivity and molecular weight distribution from the start, preventing the formation of unusable high-molecular-weight residues during subsequent glycol and glycol ether reactions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention segments the reaction process into controlled stages: first reacting polysiloxane with alkoxy alkanols to create intermediate products with specific molecular weights and reactivity, then proceeding to react with glycols and glycol ethers. This segmentation allows better control over molecular weight distribution and prevents runaway polymerization that would produce unusable high-molecular-weight residues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If hexamethylcyclotrisilazane is used to prepare organic silicon compounds, then the preparation can be performed, but high chlorine content is associated with this method

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepreparation feasibilityVSAvoidhigh chlorine content
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces hexamethylcyclotrisilazane with alkoxysilanes that have shorter-lived, less harmful byproducts. The alkoxysilane route produces alcohol as a byproduct rather than chloride-containing compounds, making the process environmentally friendlier while maintaining ease of manufacture. The temporary use of water or acid catalysts is justified by their complete removal and lack of persistent harmful effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The method achieves chlorine-free organic silicon compounds with high yield and purity, reducing corrosion risks in hydraulic systems and making the reaction mixtures ready for use in various applications.

Implementation Method 1

at least one alkoxy alkyl silane of the formula (Ia) and/or a cyclic siloxane of the formula (Ib) is reacted with at least one alkoxy alkanol of the formula (II) in the presence of at least one acid or at least one base

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCondensation reaction:

Data Source

PatentUS20250136625A1Process for the preparation of organic silicon compounds
Publication Date: 2025.05.01 BASF SE

AI summary

Organic silicon compounds synthesized by a method for preparing such organic silicon compounds can act as or in functional fluids and for trapping water. The method includes reacting at least one alkoxy alkyl silane of the formula (Ia) and/or a cyclic siloxane of the formula (Ib) with at least one alkoxy alkanol of the formula (II). The reaction occurs in the presence of at least one acid or at least one base, optionally in a solvent, at a temperature of 0 to 200° C.