Methyltrichlorosilane

Methyltrichlorosilane results from the direct process of chloromethane with elemental silicon in the presence of a copper catalyst, usually at a temperature of at least 250°C. : 2 CH3Cl + Si → (CH3)4−nSiCln + other products While this reaction is the standard in industrial silicone production and is nearly identical to the first direct synthesis of methyltrichlorosilane, the overall process is inefficient with respect to methyltrichlorosilane. Even though dimethyldichlorosilane is usually the major product, if methyltrichlorosilane is needed, the amount of metal catalyst is reduced. ==Reactions==

Hydrolysis and alcoholysis Methyltrichlorosilane undergoes hydrolysis, shown in idealized form here: ==Applications==

Conversion to polymers and resins One use for methyltrichlorosilane is in the production of methyl silicone resins (highly crosslinked polymers). Because of the stability of the cross-linked polymers resulting from condensation, the resin is stable to 550°C in a vacuum, making it an ideal material for electrical insulation at high temperatures. Filter paper treated with methyltrichlorosilane allows organic solvents to pass through, but not water. Another benefit of such water-repellent films is that the polymers formed are stable: one of the only ways to remove the siloxane film is by acid strong enough to dissolve silicone. : RR'C(OMe)2 + MeSiCl3 + NaI → RR'CO + 2 MeI + MeSiCl2(OMe) + NaCl Methyltrichlorosilane and sodium iodide can be used as a means of converting alcohols to their corresponding iodides; however, this reaction does not work as well with primary alcohols. Methyltrichlorosilane is an alternative to HCl gas or to trichlorosilane. ==References==