Preparation of Methylphenyldichlorosilane through a Catalytic Cracking Reaction of 1,2-Dimethyl-1,1,2,2-Tetrachlorodisilane with Halobenzene

Catalytic cracking reaction of 1,2-dimethyl-1,1,2,2-tetrachlorodisilane with a halobenzene (PhCl, PhBr) to prepare methylphenyldichlorosilane has been investigated. Pd(PPh3)4 exhibited the best catalytic activity among the catalysts used. The activity of chlorobenzene was significantly lower than that of bromobenzene. With the latter and toluene as solvent, in the presence of 0.3 mol % Pd(PPh3)4, the conversion of disilane was 100% with a selectivity to MePhSiCl2 of 97.1%.