General Electric Company

William Jessup Ward

Larry Neil Lewis

John Matthew Bablin

David Cheney DeMoulpied

Martha Gardner

A method for making an alkylhalosilane is provided wherein the method comprises heat treating silicon and a form of copper at a temperature greater than about 500&deg; C. to produce a contact mass and effecting reaction between an alkyl halide and silicon in the presence of the contact mass to produce alkylhalosilane.

Method for preparing a contact mass

Dialkyldihalosilane formation during direct method alkylhalosilane production is promoted by effecting reaction between alkyl halide and powdered silicon in the presence of a catalyst comprising copper, zinc, and aluminum and further comprising an amount of phosphorus and tin wherein the amount of phosphorus and tin substantially enhances the selectivity of dialkyldihalosilane formation in comparison to the selectivity of dialkyldihalosilane formation in the presence of the catalyst comprising copper, zinc, aluminum and tin without phosphorus.

Method for promoting dialkyldihalosilane formation during direct method alkylhalosilane production

A method is described for enhancing the formation of alkylhalosilane during the direct method reaction between powdered silicon and a catalyst comprising copper, zinc, tin, and phosphorus. An increase in the value of the Cu/Zn weight ratio has been found to promote the performance of the phosphorus-containing catalyst as shown by in an increase in the weight percent dimethyldichlorosilane in methylchlorosilane crude.

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Niskayuna, NY, United States of America

William Jessup Ward