The synthesis of chlorosilanes from alkoxysilanes, silanols, and hydrosilanes with bulky substituents

We have found that commercially important trialkylchlorosilanes can readily be synthesized by the reaction of alkoxysilanes, silanols, and hydrosilanes with aqueous concentrated hydorochloric acid. Treatment of trialkylalkoxysilanes bearing the bulky alkyl substituents, such as the i-Pr, sec-Bu, tert-Bu, and cyclo-Hex group, with 35% aqueous hydrochloric acid afforded the corresponding trialkylchlorosilanes in excellent yields. Similar treatment of trialkylsilanols with 35% aqueous hydrochloric acid also gave trialkylchlorosilanes in almost quantitative yields. The reaction of methyltrichlorosilane and dimethyldichlorosilane with alkyl-Grignard reagents bearing a bulky alkyl group, followed by treatment of the resulting mixtures with aqueous concentrated hydrochloric acid, produced the respective dialkylmethyl- and alkyldimethylchlorosilanes in high yields. Treatment of trialkylhydrosilanes with concentrated hydrochloric acid in the presence of a palladium catalyst afforded trialkylchlorosilanes in high yields.