Preparation of hydroxy terminated polysiloxanes

Abstract

The specification discloses a method of preparing a polysiloxane by chain extension of a silicon compound having chain terminating units including a silicon-bonded hydroxyl group which comprises bringing about condensation of the silicon-bonded hydroxyl groups at a temperature of less than 50.degree. C. in presence of an acidic condensation catalyst of the formula RSO.sub.3 H and water, to an extent of less than 7 moles per mole of acidic condensation catalyst. The silicon compound may comprise a hydroxyl end-blocked polydimethylsiloxane having a viscosity at 25.degree. C. in the range 30 to 100,000 mm.sup.2 /s, and it may be polymerized to provide an .alpha.,.omega. dihydroxy polydimethylsiloxane having a viscosity in the range 1,000 mm.sup.2 /s to 100,000 mm.sup.2 /s or more. Preferred acidic condensation catalysts are those in which R is an alkyl group having a chain of 6 to 18 carbon atoms or a group R'C.sub.6 H.sub.4 where R' represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having a chain of 6 to 18 carbon atoms. The preferred catalyst is dodecylbenzenesulphonic acid. A basic material may be added to the reaction mixture to neutralize said catalyst for example calcium carbonate or magnesium carbonate. The reaction mixture may be compounded to provide a curable composition, for example a moisture curable sealant composition comprising a mixture and/or a reaction product of the polysiloxane and a curative, a catalyst and finely divided filler.