Abstract:
The present invention provides a process for preparing a mixture, which mixture includes catenate and cyclic siloxanes of formula I R3SinullOnull(SiR2nullOnull)mSiR3 nullnull(I) and cyclic siloxanes of formula II 1 wherein m is an integer from 0 to 40 and n is an integer from 2 to 40, wherein R2 and R3 are each independently an organic functional group selected from the group including alkyl, aryl, vinyl, and alkoxy groups, and wherein there is not more than one vinyl group or aryl group per silicon atom, said process including a controlled hydrolysis, condensation or cocondensation reaction of at least one monomeric silane in alcoholic solution in the presence of an acidic catalyst, which reaction includes contacting alcohol, water, and at least one chlorosilane component selected from the group including (i), (ii), (iii): (i) at least one arylchlorosilane; (ii) at least one admixture selected from the group including alkylchlorosilane and arylchlorosilane, arylchlorosilane and vinylchlorosilane, alkylchlorosilane and vinylchlorosilane, and arylchlorosilane and vinylchlorosilane and alkylchlorosilane; (iii) at least one selected from the group including chlorosilane, alkylchlorosilane, arylchlorosilane, and vinylchlorosilane in two or more separate batches to obtain two or more separate mixtures and thereafter combining the mixtures; to form the mixture of the catenate and cyclic siloxanes. The present invention also provides the mixtures and the use of such mixtures.