Alpha-alkoxy-omega-siloxanols, R'O(R2 SiO)x H, are produced by contacting cyclic siloxanes with alcohols under mild conditions. For example, hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane heated at reflux in methanol for four hours gives 5-methoxyhexamethyltrisiloxan-1-ol in high yield. The reaction proceeds more rapidly in the presence of weak acids or bases. The products are useful as antistructure agents, coupling agents, and filler-treating agents for silicone elastomers.

Patent
   RE29211
Priority
Oct 24 1974
Filed
Oct 24 1974
Issued
May 10 1977
Expiry
Oct 24 1994
Assg.orig
Entity
unknown
2
6
EXPIRED
1. Alpha-alkoxy-omega-siloxanols having the formula R'O(R2 SiO)x H, in which R is selected from the group consisting of a monovalent hydrocarbon radical, a halogenated monovalent hydrocarbon radical and a cyanoalkyl radical having up to 8 carbon atoms, R' is a radical derived from a primary or secondary alcohol and is selected from the group consisting of alkyl radicals, cycloalkyl radicals, alkeny radicals, aralkyl radicals and substituted derivatives thereof having up to 20 carbon atoms, and x is an integer of from 2 to 10.
2. The alpha-alkoxy-omega-siloxanols of claim 1, in which at least 50 percent of the R radicals are methyl, R' is an alkyl radical of up to four carbon atoms, and x is an integer of from 3 to 5.
3. The composition of claim 2 wherein the alpha-alkoxy-omega-siloxanol is
5-methoxyhexamethyltrisiloxan-1-ol. 4. The composition of claim 2 wherein the alpha-alkoxy-omega-siloxanol is
7-methoxyoctamethyltetrasiloxan-1-ol. 5. The composition of claim 2 wherein the alpha-alkoxy-omega-siloxanol is 9-methoxydecamethylpentasiloxan-1-ol.
6. The composition of claim 2 wherein the alpha-alkoxy-omega-siloxanol is
5-methoxy-1,3,5-trimethyl-1,3,5-trivinyltrisiloxan-1-ol. 7. A method for preparing an alpha-alkoxy-omega-siloxanol having the formula R'O(R2 SiO)x H which comprises reacting in the absence of a basic catalyst a cyclic polysiloxane with a primary or secondary alcohol of the formula R'OH in which R is selected from the group consisting of a monovalent hydrocarbon radical, a halogenated monovalent hydrocarbon radical and a cyanoalkyl radical having up to 8 carbon atoms, R' is selected from the group consisting of alkyl radicals, cycloalkyl radicals, alkenyl radicals, aralkyl radicals and substituted derivatives thereof having up to 20 carbon atoms and x is an integer of from 2 to 10 in a mol ratio of alcohol to cyclic polysiloxane of at least
2:1 and at temperatures up to the reflux temperature of the alcohol. 8. The method of claim 7 in which the cyclic polysiloxane has the formula (R2 SiO)y, in which R is selected from the group consisting of a hydrocarbon radical, a halogenated monovalent hydrocarbon radical and a cyanoalkyl radical having up to 8 carbon atoms and y is an integer of from 3 to 10.
9. The method of claim 8 in which a catalyst is added, said
catalyst having a pHa or pKb value of from 1.5 to 10. 10. The method of claim 9 13 in which the catalyst is formic
acid. 11. The method of claim 9 13 in which the catalyst is acetic acid.
12. The method of claim 9 in which the catalyst is ammonia.
13. The method of claim 7 in which the reaction is conducted in the presence of an acid catalyst having a pKa value of from 1.5 to 10.

This invention relates to alkoxysiloxanols and more particularly to alpha-alkoxy-omega-siloxanols. Such materials contain one relatively more reactive group (OH) and one relatively less reactive group (alkoxy); for this reason they have long been sought as intermediates in the synthesis of siloxanes. weak base or aor a weak base may be added, as indicated above. Strong acids such as toluenesulfonic acid and strong bases such as sodium methoxide are completely unsatisfactory as they cause unwanted cleavage and equilibration reactions. Even moderately strong acids such as oxalic acid (pKa 1.23) cause rapid decomposition of the alkoxysiloxanol that is produced and are of borderline utility. For optimum utility the catalyst should have a pKa or pKb above 1.5, corresponding to an acid or basic dissociation constant below 0.03. Maleic acid (pKa 1.83) and phosphoric acid (pKa 2.12) are about the strongest acids that can be used with safety. Even so they must be quickly neutralized when the desired reaction has been essentially completed. In general, any organic or inorganic acid or base may be used if its pKa or pKb lies between 1.5 and 10. Extremely weak acids or bases with pK values above 10 are relatively ineffective.

In order to eliminate the neutralization step, it is advantageous to use an acid or base that is volatile, so that it can be removed by distillation. A catalyst that decomposes into harmless by-products on heating is also desirable. Suitable acid catalysts include formic acid (pKa 3.75), acetic acid (pKa 4.75), propionic acid (pKa 4.87), malonic acid (pKa 2.83), succinic acid (pKa 4.16), and cyanoacetic acid (pKa 2.45).

Suitable bases include the primary, secondary, and tertiary aliphatic amines, which have pKb values in the range of about 1.95 (diisopropylamine) to 4.26 (trimethylamine); ammonia (pKb 4.75); ethanolamine and its alkyl derivatives; pyrrolidine, piperidine, and their homologs; morpholine (pKb 5.4), N-methylmorpholine (pKb 6.5), and N-ethylmorpholine (pKb 6.2); ethylenediamine (pKb 4.07) and its n-alkyl derivatives; piperazine (pKb 4.1) and dimethylpiperazine (pKb 5.8); pyridine (pKb 8.77); and aromatic amines such as dimethylamine (pKb 8.94). Ammonia and the more volatile amines are particularly preferred because of their easy removal.

Salts of weak acids and bases may also be used, but they are less easily removed than the acids and bases listed above, and are therefore not usually preferred.

The catalysts listed above are effective at relatively low concentrations. Concentrations up to five percent may be used, but the preferred range is from 0.01 to 1.0 percent.

In order to purify the alkoxysiloxanols the excess of alcohol is removed by distillation at atmospheric or reduced pressure. Unreacted cyclic polysiloxane, if any, is best removed by vacuum distillation. The alkoxysiloxanol left in the distillation pot at this stage is often pure enough for most purposes. Further purification, if desired, may be achieved by distilling the alkoxysiloxanol at reduced pressure. Products of essentially 100 percent purity can thus be obtained.

The alkoxysiloxanols of this invention are useful as chemical intermediates, as antistructure agents in silica-filled elastomers, and as agents for reducing the surface reactivity of inorganic fillers, especially siliceous fillers. Suitably treated fillers may be obtained by heating untreated fillers with alkoxysiloxanols, preferably in the range of 50° to 200°C The hydrophobic fillers thus obtained are very useful in the preparation of high-strength silicone elastomers.

Alkoxysiloxanols that contain vinyl groups, e.g. 5-methoxytrimethyltrivinyltrisiloxan-1-ol, are particularly useful as coupling agents between inorganic materials such as fillers and fibrous reinforcing agents, e.g. glass fibers, and organic polymers, especially those that are cured by free-radical or vinyl-addition reactions. Examples include silica-reinforced elastomers of various types and glass-reinforced polyesters.

The following examples are offered by way of illustration, but not by way of limitation. In these examples the dimethylsiloxane unit, (CH3)2 SiO, is represented by the symbol D, and the methylvinylsiloxane unit, CH3 C2 H3 SiO, is represented by the symbol Dv. All parts are by weight unless otherwise specified.

Hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane (D3) (22.2 parts) was dissolved in 120 parts of methanol and heated at reflux for four hours. Analysis by gas chromatography showed, in addition to methanol, 91.0 percent 5-methoxy-hexamethyltrisiloxan-1-ol (CH3 OD3 H), 7.5 percent unreacted D3, and 1.5 percent 3-methoxy-tetramethyldisiloxan-1-ol (CH3 OD2 H), the latter indicating a slight amount of additional cleavage of the trisiloxanol. There was no evidence of symmetrical siloxanes such as a dimethyltrisiloxane or a trisiloxanediol. On distillation at reduced pressure a nearly pure fraction of CH3 OD3 H was obtained boiling at 86°C (15 mm.). Absorption in the near infrared showed strong, sharp OH peaks at 2700 nm. and 2900 nm. Nuclear magnetic resonance showed the group ratios CH3 (Si) 6.0, CH3 O 1.1, OH 1.0; theoretical 6:1:1.

Ten parts of 1,3,5-trimethyl-1,3,5-trivinylcyclotrisiloxane (Dv3) was mixed with 70 parts of methanol and 0.35 part of formic acid and allowed to stand at room temperature for 4 days. The methanol was then removed under vacuum below room temperature, and the remainder was distilled at 1.6 mm., giving 8.1 parts of a product boiling at 78°-89°C Analysis by gas chromatography of the product showed 7.6 percent of 3-methoxy-1,3-dimethyl-1,3-divinyldisiloxan-1-ol (CH3 ODv2 H), 21.5 percent of Dv 3, 68.9 percent of 5-methoxy-1,3,5-trimethyl-1,3,5-trivinylsiloxane-1-ol (CH3 ODv3 H), and 2.0 percent of CH3 ODv4 H.

Octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4) (11 parts) was heated to reflux with 60 parts of methanol and 0.4 part of formic acid for 16 hours. Gas chromatographic analysis showed 29.7 percent of 7-methoxyoctamethyltetrasiloxan-1-ol (CH3 OD4 H), 1.0 percent of CH3 OD3 H, 0.1 percent of CH3 OD2 H, 68.7 percent of unreacted D4, and 0.5 percent of a volatile compound, possibly CH3 ODH. The rate of formation of CH3 OD4 H is thus about 2 percent per hour at 65°C with very little by-product.

One part of decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (D5) was mixed with 6 parts of methanol and 0.07 part of cyanoacetic acid and kept at room temperature for 48 hours. At the end of this time 6.7 percent of the D5 had been converted to 9-methoxydecamethylpentasiloxane-1-ol (CH3 OD5 H) with no by-products detactable at a level of 0.02 percent. This is a conversion of 3.4 percent per day.

A similar reaction was carried out with 0.15 part of di-n-butylamine. A smaller amount of CH3 OD5 H was produced, along with significant amounts of CH3 OD4 H, CH3 OD3 H, and CH3 OD2 H. In this example the acid catalyst appears to give fewer by-products.

One part of D3 was mixed with 7 parts of ethyl alcohol and 0.05 part of formic acid at room temperature. In six hours gas chromatography showed the following (in addition to ethyl alcohol): unreacted D3 71.0 percent, C2 H5 OD3 H 18.3 percent, a more volatile by-product 3.8 percent, and a less volatile by-product 6.9 percent.

Eleven parts of D3, 60 parts of n-propyl alcohol and 0.4 part of formic acid were heated at reflux (95°C) for one hour, producing a major amount of C3 H7 OD3 H and minor amounts of two less volatile materials.

Eleven parts of D3, 60 parts of methanol, and 0.6 part of acetic acid were heated at reflux (65°C) for 2 hours. At this time 98 percent of the D3 had been converted to CH3 OD3 H, with only traces of by-products (CH3 OD2 H and CH3 OD4 H). In comparison with a similar reaction without a catalyst (Example 1) it is clear that the reaction in the presence of acetic acid is not only faster but produces fewer by-products.

Example 7 was repeated with 0.4 part of formic acid in place of acetic acid, and the reaction was about 96 percent complete in 12 minutes, again with practically no by-products. When reflux was continued for 90 minutes, small amounts of CH3 OD2 H, CH3 OD4 H and CH3 OD6 H were formed.

Example 7 was repeated with 0.5 part of N,N'-dimethylpiperazine as a catalyst. The reaction was 80 percent complete in 10 minutes with only traces of by-products. After 2.5 hours of reflux significant amounts of CH3 OD2 H, CH3 OD4 H, CH3 OD5 H, and CH 3 OD6 H were formed, CH3 OD3 H still being the major product.

Solutions of 9 parts of D3 in 60 parts of methanol were prepared at room temperature. To these were added 0.5 part of cyanoacetic acid, 0.15 part of ammonia, and 0.3 part of di-n-butylamine. All were effective catalysts and produced 90 percent yields of CH3 OD3 H in less than 30 minutes. In each case significant by-products appeared only after several hours.

Identification of the minor ingredients in the above Examples 1-12 was made on the basis of gas chromatography. A Varian Aerograph Model 700 Gas Chromatograph was used. The column used has the following description:

______________________________________
Material: Stainless steel
Dimensions: 5 feet × 1/4 inch O.D.
Liquid phase: Dimethyl silicone gum (SE-30),
30 percent.
Solid support:
70 - 80 mesh acid-washed dimethyl-
dichlorosilane-treated fire-
brick (Gas-chrom RZ), 70
percent.
Helium flow: 60 ml./min.
______________________________________

The reaction times given below are those actually measured. They were reproducible within 1 percent using the above column, although another column might have given somewhat different values. However, the important consideration is relative, rather than absolute retention times. Thus it is known that in a homologous series the ratio of retention times is constant from one member to the next.

______________________________________
RETENTION TIMES AT 170°Ca
______________________________________
Retention
time,
Compound: minutes Ratiob
______________________________________
D3 1.35 --
D4 2.80 2.07
D5 5.83 2.08
D6 12.70 2.18
Average ratio for D cyclics 2.11
CH3 OD2 H
1.46 --
CH3 OD3 H
3.24 2.24
CH3 OD4 H
6.09 2.13
CH3 OD5 H
14.08 2.15
CH3 OD6 H
31.02 2.11
CH3 OD7 H
64.00 2.06
Average ratio for CH3 ODx H
2.14
HOD3 H
3.43 --
CH3 OD3 H
3.24 0.94
C2 H5 OD3 H
4.08 1.26
C3 H7 OD3 H
5.05 1.35
______________________________________
a Retention times relative to air.
b Retention time divided by that of next lower homolog.

It is evident from the data above that the effect of an added D unit in a methoxysiloxanol is almost identical to its effect in the known series of cyclic siloxanes. This regularity provides an invaluable aid to identification. The same is not true in the series HOD3 H, CH3 OD3 H, C2 H5 OD3 H, C3 H7 OD3 H, in which the homologous change involves a relatively small part of the molecule.

______________________________________
RETENTION TIMES AT 190°C
______________________________________
Retention
time,
Compound: minutes Ratio
______________________________________
Dv3
2.52 --
Dv4
6.08 2.42
Dv5
14.77 2.43
CH3 ODv2 H
2.0 --
CH3 ODv3 H
5.38 2.69
CH3 ODv4 H
13.04 2.45
______________________________________

A. One hundred parts of a silicone gum (containing 0.1 percent of methylvinylsiloxane) was mixed with 10 parts of CH3 OD3 H and 36 parts of fumed silica (Cab-O-Sil HS-5) in a Sigma mixer at 250° F. No difficulty was encountered and a smooth compound was obtained.

B. A similar compound was prepared with only 6 parts of CH3 OD3 H. Some mixing difficulty was encountered, but a smooth compound was eventually obtained.

C. A reference compound was prepared from 100 parts of the same gum, 16 parts of a standard "softener" (antistructure agent) composed of a linear polydimethylsiloxane containing 2.5 percent of OH groups, and 36 parts of Cab-O-Sil HS-5. Attempts to prepare similar compounds with less than 16 parts of the standard softener were unsuccessful because of structure build-up. Thus it is apparent that CH3 OD3 H is approximately twice as effective, on a weight basis, as the standard softener.

Samples of each of the above were successfully cured by heating with dichlorobenzoyl peroxide (1.1 percent of a 50-percent paste, 5 minutes at 240° F.). The following physical test data were obtained after a 16-hour postcure at 450° F.

______________________________________
A B C
______________________________________
Hardness, Shore A 43 52 50
Tensile strength, p.s.i.
1,200 1,000 1,100
Elongation, percent
475 400 500
Compression set 23 18 30
(ASTM D395 Method B)
______________________________________

It can be seen from these data that the physical properties are approximately equivalent, in general. However, the better (lower) compression set values of the elastomers containing the methoxysiloxanol are clearly evident.

Six drops of CH3 OD3 H were applied to the surface of a clean glass plate. After 10 minutes at room temperature the surface was washed off with acetone and found not to be water repellent. A second glass plate was treated with six drops of CH3 OD3 H and heated 15 minutes at 105°C The liquid had evaporated and the surface was found to be somewhat water repellent; water drops on the surface formed a contact angle of about 60°. A third glass plate was treated with 6 drops of CH3 OD3 H and heated for 30 minutes at 150°C, whereby it became water repellent; water drops formed contact angles of about 70° on the surface.

A fumed silica (Cab-O-Sil MS-7) was mixed with one tenth its weight of CH3 OD3 H and allowed to stand for 16 hours at room temperature. It was not visibly altered and was easily dispersed in water. A similarly treated silica heated for one hour at 110°C in a closed container became highly hydrophobic and could not be dispersed in water.

A precipitated calcium polysilicate (Hi-Sil 404) (1.0 part) was heated with 0.15 part of CH3 OD3 H in a closed bottle at 95°C for two hours, at the end of which it was completely hydrophobic.

Although specific examples are mentioned and have been herein described, it is not intended to limit the invention solely thereto but to include all the variations and modifications falling within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Lewis, Richard Newton

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///
Executed onAssignorAssigneeConveyanceFrameReelDoc
Oct 24 1974SWS Silicones Corporation(assignment on the face of the patent)
Feb 04 1986SWS Silicones CorporationStauffer-Wacker Silicones CorporationCHANGE OF NAME SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS 0045700295 pdf
Aug 05 1987Stauffer-Wacker Silicones CorporationWacker Silicones CorporationCHANGE OF NAME SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS EFFECTIVE DATE: MAY 18, 19870047610904 pdf
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