Bp Chemicals Limited

Gerhard A Kleiner

Michael J Green

A process for the transetherification of silyl ethers comprises reacting the silyl ether with a hydroxyl containing compound in the presence of a Lewis base containing catalyst. Preferably, the Lewis base containing catalyst is (1) an amidine, (2) a Lewis base in the presence of an epoxide or (3) a trivalent organophosphorus compound in the presence of an activated alkene or alkyne. The Lewis base containing catalyst can either be used in a homogeneous form, soluble in the reactants, or in a heterogeneous form, insoluble in the reactants, having the Lewis base containing catalyst supported on an inert solid. An application of the catalysts is in the production of polydimethylsiloxane polyether block copolymers by reaction of a polydimethylsiloxane silyl ether with a polyether monol.

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London, United Kingdom

Gerhard A Kleiner