"Chemistry"
Chemistry

Slide 2

Eugene G. Rochow
Father of Modern Silicone Chemistry
Eugene Rochow has made some of the most significant contributions to the study and commercialization of silicon compounds.
The “Direct Process” allowed for commercial usage over the older “Gringnard Process”. The “Direct Process now bears Rochow’s name.
Chemistry of Silicones (John Wiley) by Rochow published in 1946 is not only an extremely interesting historical work, but still contains some very enlightening data.

Quartz

Silicon

Hydrolysate
Chlorosilanes
Si +  CH3Cl  ------>  Chlorosilanes
                                   Mixture

Hydrolysate
Hydrolysis of Rochow Chlorosilanes
Rochow Process Products + Water  --->
                            Hydrolyzate  and  HCl

Silicone Compounds
Performance is dictated by
1. Construction,
2. Functionalization
     and
3. Derivatization

Silicone Compounds
Construction relates to the make up of the silicone backbone.
Functionalization relates to the groups that are on the silicone backbone.
Derivatization relates to chemistry conducted on the groups added by Functionalization.

Silicone Compounds
The “Construction” relates to the polymer backbone. It is prepared by reacting various silicone precursors to make the “silicone backbone”. The “M”, “D”, “T” are part of the construction.
The “Functionalization” relates to the functional groups that are present. They are generally a direct consequence of Si-H groups reacted with unsaturated groups in a process called “Hydrosilylation”.
“Construction” “Functionalization” and “Derivatization ” result in the properties of the compound. Both are rarely disclosed making proper selection of a product difficult.

Construction
Polymer Backbone
Preparation

Construction (Silicone Portion)
“M unit”   is monosubstituted
“D unit”   is disubstituted

Construction (Silicone Portion)
“T unit”   is trisubstituted
“Q unit” is Quadsubstituted

Construction (Silicone Portion)
If organofunctional groups other than carbon are introduced, an “*” is  added to its designation.
“M* unit”   is monosubstituted
“D* unit”  is disubstituted
 with organofunctionality

Construction (Silicone Portion)
“T* unit” is trisubstituted
                 with organofunctionality
There is no “Q* unit” since there is no possibility of functional groups.

Construction
There are three types of construction of silicone polymers. They are:

Construction

Functionalization
Hydrosilylation

Slide 19

Just a Few Hydrosilylatable Olefins
Alkoxylated allyl alcohol
                 CH2=CH-CH2-O-(EO)a-(PO)b-(EO)cH
Alpha olefin   CH2=CH- (CH2)n CH3
Fluoro alpha olefin   CH2=CH-CH2- (CF2)n CF3
 Ester  CH2=CH-(CH2)8-C(O)-OCH3
Combinations
                                      Multifunctionals

Construction / Functionalization
The “construction” is the molecular knitting machine that makes the silicone backbone.
The “Functionalization” is the “Lego Set” of appendages that provide additional functionality.
“Construction” without “Functionalization” results in silicone homopolymers like fluids.
“Functionalization” is not possible without “Construction”.

Group Opposites
Hydrophilic  (water loving)                   Hydrophobic (water hating)
Oleophilic   (oil loving)                         Oleophobic    (oil hating)
 Siliphilic      (silicone loving)               Siliphobic       (silicone hating)
Hydrophobic (water hating) materials can be either oleophilic or siliphilic.
Oleophobic   (oil hating) materials may be either hydrophilic or siliphilic.
 Siliphobic   (silicone hating) materials may be either oleophilic or hydrophilic.
This means that a hydrophobic fiber can be treated with silicone or with hydrocarbon.
If treated with silicone, the fiber will also be oleophobic. If treated with oil, the fiber will also be siliphobic.
For application in waterproofing fibers, selection of the proper molecule is critical. Improper selection will result in unacceptable oil staining.