Rochow process

E610296

The Rochow process is an industrial chemical method for directly synthesizing organosilicon compounds, especially methylchlorosilanes used in silicone production, by reacting methyl chloride with silicon in the presence of a copper catalyst.

Jump to: Statements Referenced by

Statements (50)

Predicate Object
instanceOf industrial chemical process
organosilicon synthesis method
alsoKnownAs direct process
direct synthesis of methylchlorosilanes
byproduct ethyldichlorosilane (from ethyl chloride impurities)
higher methylated silanes
catalystPromoter antimony
arsenic
phosphorus
tin
zinc
catalystSupport silicon surface
developedBy Eugene G. Rochow NERFINISHED
developedIn 1940s
downstreamProcess hydrolysis of methylchlorosilanes
downstreamProduct polydimethylsiloxane
downstreamProduct silicone elastomers
silicone oils
silicone resins
feedstockForm metallurgical grade silicon
silicon powder
field industrial chemistry
organosilicon chemistry
silicone production
importance primary industrial route to methylchlorosilanes
industrialScale large scale
mainProduct dimethyldichlorosilane
namedAfter Eugene G. Rochow NERFINISHED
operatesPhase gas–solid
optimizationTarget maximizing dimethyldichlorosilane yield
produces dimethyldichlorosilane
methylchlorosilanes
methyldichlorosilane
silicone precursors
trimethylchlorosilane
reactionEnvironment fixed-bed reactor
fluidized bed reactor
reactionType direct synthesis
heterogeneous gas–solid reaction
safetyConcern corrosive hydrogen chloride formation on hydrolysis
handling of methyl chloride
selectivityConcern distribution of methylchlorosilane isomers
typicalPressure near atmospheric pressure
typicalTemperature 250–350 °C
usedFor production of silicone polymers
production of silicones
usesCatalyst copper
copper-based alloy
usesReactant methyl chloride
silicon

Referenced by (1)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Eugene G. Rochow notableIdea Rochow process