Reactions giving alkyl (or aryl) chlorosilanes in the direct interaction of alkyl (or aryl) chlorides with silicon

An investigation was made of the factors affecting the selectivity of silicon-copper catalyst compositions for the formation of dichloromethylsilane and dichlorodimethylsilane, and it was shown that it is possible to increase the yield of dichloromethylsilane (to 60%) or of dichloromethylsilane (to 45%) by the introduction of the promoters ZnCl₂ or Na₂SiO₃, respectively.

The thermal breakdown of methyl chloride over copper catalysts was investigated, and it was shown that the hydrogen chloride then liberated places a determining role in the formation of dichloromethylsilane. A reaction scheme for the formation of dichloromethylsilane is proposed.

An investigation was made of the effect of hydrogen chloride, which, in accordance with the scheme proposed, leads to intense formation of dichloromethylsilane.