CA1055507A

CA1055507A - Sulfolanyloxyalkyl cyclic polysiloxanes

Info

Publication number: CA1055507A
Application number: CA254,802A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Curtis L. Schilling (Jr.)
Original assignee: Union Carbide Corp
Current assignee: Union Carbide Corp
Priority date: 1975-06-30
Filing date: 1976-06-14
Publication date: 1979-05-29
Also published as: JPS525784A; IT1061421B; DE2629137A1; DE2629137B2; GB1515958A; ES449304A1; DE2629137C3; FR2316240A1; US4049676A; AU1534576A; JPS5761279B2; FR2316240B1; MX144523A; MY8000107A; AU508281B2; KE2986A; BE843559A

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

Provided as novel compositions are sulfolanyl-oxyalkylheptaalkylcyclotetrasiloxanes. The cyclic poly-siloxanes of the invention are especially useful as monomers for the formation of higher molecular weight polymers com-prising difunctional dialkylsiloxy units in combination with difunctional sulfolanyloxyalkylmonoalkylsiloxy units.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVEN~ION
The present invention relates to particular organopolysiloxanes containing a sulfolanyloxyalkyl group bonded to silicon.
In accordance with the teachings of United States Patent No. 4,049,674, granted September 20, 1977, there is provided a particular class of sulfolanyloxyalkyl-modified organopolysiloxane hydrides including those containing difunctional dialkylsiloxy units. Among other end use applications, the hydrides are useful as hydrosilation and condensation agents for the formation of sulfolanyloxyalkyl-substituted organopolysiloxane-polyoxyalkylene copolymers which are also described and claimed in said United States patent. The copolymers in turn are especially useful as stabilizers of flexible polyurethane foam including foam produced with a flame-retarding agent. The present invention is concerned with a novel class of monomers which find particular application in the preparation of the aforementioned hydrides containing difunctional dialkylsiloxy units in addition to the silicon-bonded sulfolanyloxyalkyl group.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention provides sulfolanyloxyalkyl-heptaalkylcyclotetrasiloxanes as new compositions. As used herein, the term "sulfolanyloxyalkyl" refers to radicals (collectively referred to for brevity by the symbol "Q") which have the formula, ~$

~ i 2.

Q = -R'-O-C C-H
Rl l l R4 S

O O

wherein: R' is bivalent alkylene of two to eight carbon atoms; and Rl, R2, R3 and R4 shown bonded to the respective carbon atoms in the two to five positions of the cyclic sulfolanyl nucleus, are independently hydrogen or alkyl having from one to four carbon atoms.
More particularly, the present invention provides cyclic tetrasiloxanes having the general formula, [(R)2SiO]3[(R)(Q)SiO]

wherein: R is alkyl of one to ten carbon atoms, and Q is sulfolanyloxyalkyl, as defined above.
The Q-substituted heptaalkylcyclotetrasiloxanes described herein are useful as surface active agents for organic media and as monomers for the preparation of polymers comprising an organopolysiloxane backbone containing both dialkylsiloxy units [(R)2SiO2/2] and sulfolanyloxyalkylmono-alkylsiloxy units [(R)(Q)SiO2/2], DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The silicon-bonded R groups of the Q-substituted cyclic polysiloxanes of the present invention are alkyls having from one to ten carbon atoms including linear and branched alkyls. Illustrative of suitable groups encompassed by R are: methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, t-butyl, pentyl, hexyl, octyl and decyl. Of these, the lower alkyls (that is, those having from one to four carbon atoms~ are preferred of which methyl is especially suitable. It is to be understood that in any given compo-sition of the invention, the R groups may be the same as or different from one another.
In the sulfolanyloxyalkyl group (Q) of the cyclic tetrasiloxanes of the present invention, usually no more than two of Rl through R4 are alkyls as in the 2,4-dimethyl-sulfolan-3-yloxyalkyl nucleus. Preferably, each of Rl, R2, R3 and R4 is hydrogen. The R' group of Q is a bivalent alkylene radical including linear and branched radicals, of the series, -CCH2c-, where c is an integer having a value from two to eight. Illustrative of the linear and branched saturated bivalent alkylene radicals encompassed by -R'-are the following where the valence of the carbon atom designated in the one position is satisfied by a bond to silicon of the siloxane chain, the other valence of -R'-being satisfied by the bond to oxygen of the sulfolanyloxy group of Q: ethylene; 1,3-propylene or trimethylene; 1,2-propylene; 2-methyl-1,3-propylene; 1-methyl-1,3-propylene;
l-ethyl-ethylene; 1,4-butylene or tetramethylene; 3-methyl-1,3-propylene; 3-ethyl-1,3-propylene; 1,5-pentylene or penta-methylene; 4-methyl-1,4-butylene; 1,6-hexylene or hexa-methylene; l-methyl-3,3-dimethyl-1,3-propylene; l-ethyl-

2,2-dimethyl-ethylene; 4,4-dimethyl-1,4-butylene; 3-propyl-1,3-propylene; 1-ethyl-1,4-butylene; 1-propyl-1,3-propylene;
1,8-octylene or octamethylene; and the like. Preferably, -R'- has from 2 to 6 carbon atoms and most preferably has three or four carbon atoms.

Illustrative of the sulfolanyloxyalkylmonoalkyl-siloxy units [(R)(Q)SiO2/2] of the polysiloxanes of the invention are the following:

H2C - CH - o-cH2cH2-sio2/2 (1) H2C~ ~H2 O~S~o C,H3 H2C - CH - o-CH2CH2CH2-SiO2/2 (2) ,~S~

,CH3 ,CH3 H2C - CH - O-CH2CH-CH2-SiO2/2 (3) H2C\ ,CH2 c~s~o CIH3 ,CH3 HC - CH - o-CH2CH2CH2-SiO2/2 (4) S/

0~ ~0 ,CH3 H2C - CH- CH2cH2lcH-sio2l2 (5) H2C~ /CH2 CH3 0// ~0 Hf CH - o-CH2-~CH-SiO2/2 (6) H2C\ ,CH-CH3 C2H5 0~ ~0 H2f fH - o-CH2CH2CH2CH2-SiO2/2 (7) H2C\ ~CH2 o4s~o and corresponding units in which the silicon-bonded methyl group is ethyl, propyl, butyl, and the like.
The sulfolanyloxyalkylheptaalkylcyclotetra-siloxanes of the present invention may be prepared by a number of different types of reactions including hydro-silation and cohydrolysis-cocondensation reactions. One method comprises the platinum-catalyzed hydrosilation reaction between heptaalkylcyclotetrasiloxanes, [(H)(R)SiO][(R~2SiO]3, and alkenyl sulfolanyl ethers as the source of the sulfolanyloxyalkyl group (Q). This reaction is shown by equation 1 which follows.

Equation 1:

/ Si \ l2 IR3 O R O CcH2c-1--C C-H
R-Si-R R-Si-H ~ Rl I l/ R4 O R O H ~ \ / \H
\si/ ~s~
R O o si > R-Si-R R-Si-CcH2c-O-C C-H

\ Si / H \ S / H
R O ~ ~O

wherein: R, as previously defined, is alkyl of one to ten carbon atoms; and, as defined with respect to Q, Rl through R4 ~re hydrogen or alkyl of one to four carbon atoms and c has a value of two to eight.
Illustrative of alkenyl sulfolanyl ether reactants for use in preparing the Q-modified heptaalkylcyclotetra-siloxanes of the invention are allyl sulfolan-3-yl ether (also known as allyloxysulfolane); methallyl sulfolan-3-yl ether; crotyl sulfolan-3-yl ether; buten-3-yl sulfolan-3-yl ether; and the like. The alkenyl sulfolanyl ether reactants are prepared by the known reaction of unsaturated alcohols such as, for example, allyl and methallyl alcohols with

3-sulfolene (also known as 3-thiolene-1,1-dioxide), as described in United States Patent No. 2,419,082 and British Patent Specification No. 566,930.

10555~7 9917 The preparation of the particularly preferred Q-substituted cyclic tetrasiloxanes of the invention is illustrated by the following equation 2 wherein the Si-H
reactant is heptamethylcyclotetrasiloxane.

Equation 2:
~ ' [(Me)2sio]3[(~e)sio] + CcH2c-1~~lCH lc~2 S
0~ ~0 > [(Me)2SiO]3[MeSiO]
CcH2c-o-tH ICH2 H2C ~ ~CH2 0~ ~0 wherein Me is methyl and c has a value of three or four.
For example, effecting the hydrosilation reaction of equation 2 employing 3-allyloxysulfolane, provides 3-(sul-folan-3-yloxy)propylheptamethylcyclotetrasiloxane, that is, [(Me)2sio]3[(Me)sio]
C3H6O-CH lH2 S /

0~ ~0 Likewise, effecting the reaction of equation 2 employing methallyl sulfolan-3-yl ether provides an adduct in which -CCH2c- is 2-methyl-1,3-propylene [-CH2CH(CH3)2CH -].

The reactions illustrated by equations 1 and 2 may be effected in the presence of any of the platinum catalysts known to the art as hydrosilation catalysts.

Illustrative is platinum in the form of chloroplatinic acid dissolved, if desired, in a solvent such as tetrahydro-furan, ethanol, butanol, 1,2-dimethoxyethane or mixed solvents such as ethanol/1,2-dimethoxyethane. Also suitable as promoters of the hydrosilation reaction are the platinum catalysts prepared by reaction of chloro-platinic acid and an alcohol such as octanol as described in U.S. Patent No. 3,220,972. The platinum is present in a catalytic amount such as, for example, from about 5 to about 400 parts by weight per million (p.p.m.) parts of the combined weight of the silicon-containing and organic reactants. The more usual platinum concentration is no more than about 200 p.p.m. Suitable reaction temperatures range from about room temperature (20C.) to about 200C., and are more usually from about 60C. to about 160C.
The hydrosilation reaction may be conducted in the absence or presence of a solvent. Illustrative sol-vents are any of the following employed individually or in combination with one another: the normally liquid aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene and xylene;
alcohols such as n-propanol and isopropanol; ethers; ether alcohols; and other such non polar or polar solvents.
Upon completion of the reaction, any excess reactants and, when used, organic solvent, may be removed by conventional separation techniques to obtain the final product com-prising the cyclic tetramers of the invention. It is to be understood, however, that some portion or all of the solvent and excess reactants including by-products thereof may remain in the product and that such diluted polymer compositions are also useful for the end use applications described herein. The removal or neutralization of catalyst is usually desirable for long range product stability. Neutralization is readily effected by adding sodium bicarbonate to the reaction mixture followed by filtration of the resultant slurry to remove the neu-tralizing agent and platinum residues.
Another method for preparing the sulfolanyloxy-alkylheptaalkylcyclotetrasiloxanes of the present invention comprises cohydrolyzing and cocondensing mixtures of dialkyl-dichlorosilanes [i.e., (R)2SiC12] and sulfolanyloxyalkyl-monoalkyldichlorosilanes [i.e., (Q)(R)SiC12], employing about three moles of (R)2SiC12 per mole of (Q)(R)SiC12.
The latter compounds are in turn provided by the platinum-catalyzed hydrosilation of the above-described alkenyl sulfolanyl ethers as the source of Q and alkyldichloro-silanes [i.e., (R)(H)SiC12]. The cohydrolysis and cocon-densation reactions may be carried out at temperatures between about 20C. and about 150C. in the absence or presence of a solvent such as those described above, following procedures known to the art.
The sulfolanyloxyalkylheptaalkylcyclotetra-siloxanes described herein are polymerizable to higher molecular weight Q-modified organopolysiloxanes either as essentially the sole monomer undergoing polymerization or as a comonomer with one or more other precursors of polymer-building siloxy units. Such polymerizations are equilibration reactions and are accelerated by known equilibration catalysts. Self-polymerization of the 10 .

sulfolanyloxyalkyl-substituted cyclic tetrasiloxanes of the present invention provides a polymeric composition consisting essentially of a polysiloxane backbone having the average empirical formula, ~ (R)2Si]d[(R)(Q)SiO]

..
wherein: R is alkyl and Q is sulfolanyloxyalkyl as pre-viously defined; the average value of the ratio d:q is 3:1; and n has an average value from about 10 to about 200. Such polymerization of the Q-substituted cyclic tetrasiloxanes of the present invention as essentially the sole monomer is accelerated by the addition of known equilibration catalysts of the acidic or basic variety.
The nature of the endblocking units of the polymers formed by self-equilibration of the cyclic monomers of this invention has not been elucidated. It is postu-lated, however, that the polymers may comprise self-terminated macrocyclic polymeric species, linear polymeric species terminated by a siloxy linkage of a cyclic end-blocker, or a combination thereof. Another explanationis that the polymers may be endblocked by an impurity lntroduced to the system as a component of the reactants employed in the preparation of the Q-modified cyclic monomers described herein or as a by-product formed during preparation of the cyclic monomers. It is to be understood, however, that other theories may equally explain the manner in which the self-equili-brated polymers are terminated. In any event, such self-equilibrated sulfolanyloxyalkyl-modified silicone fluids are useful as surface active agents in organic media. For example, they may be used as additives to depress the surface tension of hydrocarbon materials such as crude oil.
The sulfolanyloxyalkylheptaalkylcyclotetra-siloxanes of the present invention are also useful as monomers in forming sulfolanyloxyalkyl-substituted organopolysiloxanes in which the ratio of (R)2SiO:(R)(Q~SiO
is other than 3:1, as well as sulfolanyloxyalkyl-substituted organopolysiloxanes containing other types of siloxy units.
For example, acid catalyzed equilibration of a reaction medium containing:
(1) cyclic dialkylsiloxane polymers as an additional source of dialkylsiloxy units [(R)2SiO2/2] such as,in particular, dimethylsiloxy;
(2) the Q-modified cyclic tetrasiloxanes of this invention;
(3) polymeric alkylsiloxane hydrides as a source of (R)(H)SiO2/2 units such as, in particular, (CH3)(H)SiO2/2;
and

(4) hexaalkyldisiloxanes, (R)3SiOSi(R)3, as a source of endblocking trialkylsiloxy units, (R)3SiOl/2, such as trimethylsiloxy;
provides equilibra~ed sulfolanyloxyalkyl-substituted poly-alkylsiloxane hydrides having the following average compo-sition, (R)3SiO[(R)2sio]x[(R)SiO]y[(R)SiO]zSi(R)3 Q H

12.

where Q and R are as previously defined herein. In the equilibrated product, the values of x, y and _ are deter-mined by the relative proportions of above reactants (1), (2~ and (3~ and are expressed on the normalized basis of two moles of endblocking units, (R~3SiOl/2. In view of the presence of reactant (1~, the ratio of x y in the product is greater than 3:1. As previously disclosed herein, such sulfolanyloxyalkyl-polyalkylsiloxane hydrides are useful hydrosilation and condensation agents, and are within the teachings of the aforementioned United States Patent No. 4,049,674.
Illustrative of suitable catalysts for the equilibration of reaction mixtures containing the Q-modified cyclic tetrasiloxanes of the present invention are trifluoromethylsulfonic acid (CF3S03H~ and concen-trated C93-98 weight percent~ sulfuric acid. The acid is employed in a catalytically effective amount such as from about 0.1 to about four weight percent, based on the total weight of reactants. The acid-catalyzed equil-ibration reactions are usually carried out with vigorousmechanical stirring at temperatures within the range from about 20C. to about 120C. at least until the reaction mixture becomes homogeneous. Effecting the reaction at temperatures from about 20 to about 50C. usually pro-vides a satisfactory rate of reaction. After completion of the reaction, the reaction product is neutralized with base such as sodium bicarbonate and filtered, sometimes adding a liquid hydrocarbon such as xylene or toluene or a filter aid to facilitate the filtration. When a diluent 13.

is used, it is conveniently separated from the reaction product b~ rotary vacuum evaporation, as desired.
The following examples are merely illustrative of the present invention and are not intended as a limi-tation upon the scope thereof.
It is to be understood that in the formulas included in the data which follows, "Me" designates methyl (-CH3) Heptamethylcyclotetrasiloxane which had been redistilled at 83.5C. and about 17 mm. mercury pressure was combined in an amount of 28.2 grams (0.1 mole) with about 40 ml. of toluene. To this mixture there was added 3-allyloxysulfolane (17.6 grams, 0.1 mole) and about 15 ml.
of toluene-. The hydrosilation reaction was effected in the presence of platinum catalyst added as a four weight per-cent solution of chloroplatinic acid in dimethoxyethane, while heating up to a maximum temperature of 118C. Vapor phase chromatographic analysis of a sample of the reaction mixture taken after the first 20 minutes of reaction time, indicated that the reaction had gone to greater than 50 percent completion. Heating was continued for a total reaction time of about one hour. After neutralization with sodium bicarbonate and filtration, the product was distilled to remove toluene, unreacted cyclic tetramer (3.7 grams) and a total of 8.3 grams of overhead boiling up to 128C. and 0.3 mm. mercury pressure. In this preparation, the 3-(sulfolan-3-yloxy~propylheptamethyl-cyclotetrasiloxane was recovered as the residue product (22.5 grams).

14.

105s507 9917 Heptamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (141.0 grams, about 0.5 mole~ was heated to 110C. followed by the addition thereto of platinum catalyst added as a four weight per-cent solution of chloroplatinic acid in dimethoxyethane.
A total of 78.7 grams (0.44 mole) of 3-allyloxysulfolane was added over a period of about 20 minutes during which the reaction temperature was no higher than 134C. After the addition was completed, the temperature of the reaction mixture was 118C. Heating at 148-140C. was continued for about 1.5 hours. The product was then treated with sodium bicarbonate, filter aid and activated charcoal.
After allowing to stir overnight, the reaction mixture was pressure filtered and vacuum distilled. Unreacted cyclic tetramer (75.6 grams) and olefin (about 52.8 grams) was recovered. In this preparation, the product 3-(sulfolan-3-yloxy)propylheptamethylcyclotetrasiloxane, was recovered at about 150C. and 0.8 mm. mercury pressure. After cooling, the product was retreated with activated charcoal and pressure filtered. Vapor phase chromatographic analysis of this distilled product was identical to that of the residue product of example 1 above.
The purpose of the following examples 3 and 4 is to demonstrate the use of the sulfolanyloxyalkyl-sub-stituted cyclic tetrasiloxanes of the invention as monomers in forming sulfolanyloxyalkyl-polyalkylsiloxane hydrides.

F.XAM~'LE 3 In accordance with this example, a 3-(sulfolan-3-yloxy)propyl-modified polymethylsiloxane hydride was prepared by the acid-catalyzed equilibration of a reaction mixture containing the following:
Reactant (1): Hexamethyldisiloxane in an amount of 0.7 grams (O.OG41 mole), corresponding to 0.0082 mole of Me3sio2/2 Reactant (2): Cyclic dimethylsiloxane tetramer in an amount of 9.7 grams, corresponding to 0.131 mole of Me2SiO2/2 Reactant (3): Polymethylsiloxane hydride in an amount of 1.5 grams, corresponding to 0.025 mole of Me(H)Sio2/2 Reactant (4): 3-(Sulfolan-3-yloxy)propylhepta-methylcyclotetrasiloxane prepared as described under Example 1, in an amount of 18.8 grams (0.041 mole), corres-ponding to 0.123 mole of Me2SiO2/2 and 0.041 mole of the 3-(sulfolan-3-yloxy)propyl-methylsiloxy unit.
The reaction mixture was equilibrated in the presence of trifluoromethylsulfonic acid (2 droplets) and was allowed to stir at room temperature for approximately 22 hours.
The equilibrated product was then neutralized with sodium bicarbonate, treated with activated charcoal, pressure filtered and vacuum stripped, toluene having been added to reduce the viscosity of the product and thereby facilitate filtration. The results of gel permeation chromatographic analysis indicated that equilibration had occurred. Based upon the relative proportions of Reactants (1)-(4), normalized to two moles of Me3SiOl/27 16.

the average composition of the 3-(sulfolan-3-yloxy~propyl-modified polymethylsiloxane hydride is:

Me3SiO[Me2SiO]62[MeSiO]10[MeSiO]6SiMe3 lc3H6 H

H2C ~ ~ CH2 ,~S~

and the theoretical content of Me~H)SiO is 4.82 weight percent. Analysis of this product for silanic hydrogen provided 16.9 and 17.1 cc. H2/gram, corresponding to an average found Me(H)SiO content of 4.55 weight percent which is in substantial agreement with the theoretical value.

In accordance with this example, a 3-(sulfolan-3-yloxy)propyl-modified polymethylsiloxane hydride was prepared by the acid-catalyzed equilibration of a reaction mixture containing the following:
Reactant (l): Hexamethyldisiloxane in an amount of 1.6 grams (0.01 mole~, corresponding to 0.02 mole of Me3SiO1/2-Reactant _(2): Cyclic dimethylsiloxane tetramer in an amount of 38.8 grams, corresponding to 0.52 mole of Me2SiO2/2-Reactant (3): Polymethylsiloxane hydride in an amount of 3.6 grams, corresponding to 0.06 mole of Me(H)Sio2/2 ~055507 9917 Reactant (4~: 3-(Sulfolan-3-yloxy~propylhepta-methylcyclotetrasiloxane prepared as described under Example 2, in an amount of 22.9 grams (0.05 mole~, corres-ponding to 0.15 mole of Me2SiO2/2 and 0.05 mole of the 3-(sulfolan-3-yloxy)propyl-methylsiloxy unit.
The reaction mixture was equilibrated in the presence of trifluoromethylsulfonic acid (4 droplets~ while stirring at room temperature overnight. The equilibrated product was neutralized by stirring with sodium bicarbonate for about 4 hours, adding activated charcoal during the last hour. The viscous product was then pressure filtered, adding toluene to lower viscosity and thereby facilitate the filtration. After vacuum stripping, 59.5 grams of viscous product was recovered. Based upon the relative proportions of Reactants (1)-(4), normalized to two moles of Me3SiOl/2, the average composition of the 3-(sulfolan-3-yloxy)propyl-modified polymethylsiloxane hydride is:

Me3sio[Me2sio]67[Meslio]s[Melsio]6siMe3 l3H6 H

H2C ~ ~CH2 O~S~o and the theoretical content of Me(H)SiO is 5.41 weight percent. Analysis of this product for silanic hydrogen provided 19.5 and 19.4 cc. H2/gram, corresponding to an average found MeCH~SiO content of 5.21 weight percen~
which is in substantial agreement with the theoretical content.

18.

lOS5507 Reaction of the respective Q-substituted poly-methylsiloxane hydrides of ~xamples 3 and 4 in the presence of a platinum hydrosilation catalyst with an alkenyl-end-blocked, organic-capped poly(oxyethylene-oxypropylene) polyether reactant such as a polyether having the average pOSition, CH2 CHCH2(0C2H4~26 4(0C3H6~3o0Me~ emplOyed in an amount at least sufficient ~o s~bstantially com-pletely react the silanic hydrogen by Si-H/CH2=CH-addition, provides corresponding 3-(sulfolan-3-yloxy)propyl-poly(oxyethylene-oxypropylene) block copolymers which in turn are effective stabilizers of flexible polyether polyol-based polyurethane foam.
The following example 5 illustrates a further preparation of 3-(sulfolan-3-yloxy)propylheptamethylcyclo-tetrasiloxane by hydrosilation of heptamethylcyclotetra-siloxane and allyloxysulfolane. The platinum catalyst employed was prepared by reacting 10 grams of chloro-platinic acid hexahydrate and 100 grams of octanol at an elevated temperature and reduced pressure, followed by removal of octanol by distillation (45C./0.3 mm. pressure) and dissolving the residual product (35.3 grams) in toluene.
As used in example 5, the expression "reduced platinum catalyst solution" refers to the resultant toluene solution of the chloroplatinic acid-octanol reaction product and contains about 0.014 gram of platinum per gram of solution which substantially corresponds to the typical 4 weight percent solution of chloroplatinic acid hexahydrate in dimethoxyethane employed in examples 1 and 2.

~XAMPLE 5 To a 100 ml. capacity reaction vessel provided with a heating mantle, mechanical stirrer, thermometer, nitrogen blow-by, addition funnel and condenser, there was added 44.7 grams of redistilled heptamethylcyclo-tetrasiloxane. The addition funnel contained 26.0 grams of 3-allyloxysulfolane, several ml. of toluene and 0.3 ml.
of the above-described reduced platinum catalyst solution.
After heating the heptamethylcyclotetrasiloxane to 95C., the allyloxysulfolane/platinum catalyst mixture was added in increments over a period of about 35 minutes during which the reaction temperature was maintained at 96-100C.
After this period of time, 4 droplets of additional reduced platinum catalyst solution was added. The reaction mixture was heated (maximum temperature was 122C.~ for an additional period of about 35 minutes. The product was neutralized with sodium bicarbonate, treated with filter aid and activated charcoal, pressure filtered and vacuum distilled.
After separation of material boiling up to 122C./0.9 mm.
mercury pressure, product 3-(sulfolan-3-yloxy)propylcyclo-tetrasiloxane was collected at 154-155C. and 0.9 mm.
mercury pressure in a total amount of 46.9 grams corres-ponding to a 70 weight percent yield, based on the allyl-oxysulfolane reactant. After standing for about six months, the product of this example was subjected to analysis by gel permeation chromatography. The resultant scan showed the presence of a 50:50 mixture of the 3-(sulfolan-3-yloxy~-propyl heptamethylcyclotetrasiloxane and higher molecular weight polymers thereof, that is, 20.

10555~D7 9917 Me2SiO]3[MeSiO] ~

\S/

oD ~o where n has an average value of about 40. The apparent ability of tne cyclic tetrasiloxanes of the present invention to self-equilibrate is believed attributable to the sulfolanyl function acting as a promoter. Such self-equilibration to form higher molecular polymers is accelerated by the addition of more highly acidic equilibration catalysts such as con-centrated sulfuric acid as previously described herein.

21.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. Sulfolanyloxyalkylheptaalkylcyclotetra-siloxanes having the general formula, wherein: -R'- is bivalent alkylene of two to eight carbon atoms; R is alkyl of one to ten carbon atoms; and R1, R2, R3 and R4 are independently hydrogen or alkyl of one to four carbon atoms.

2. Sulfolanyloxyalkylheptaalkylcyclotetra-siloxanes having the general formula, wherein: c has a value from three to six; and R is alkyl of one to four carbon atoms.

3. Sulfolanyloxyalkylheptaalkylcyclotetra-siloxanes as defined in claim 2 in which -CcH2c- is tri-methylene.

22.

4. Sulfolanyloxyalkylheptaalkylcyclotetra-siloxanes as defined in claim 2 in which -CCH2c- is -CH2CH(CH3)CH2-.

5. Sulfolanyloxyalkylheptaalkylcyclotetra-siloxanes as defined in claim 2 in which R is methyl.

6. 3-(Sulfolan-3-yloxy)propylheptamethylcyclo-tetrasiloxane.

7. Organopolysiloxanes consisting essentially of difunctional dialkylsiloxy units and difunctional sulfolan-3-yloxyalkylmonoalkylsiloxy units, the mole ratio of said dialkylsiloxy units to said sulfolan-3-yloxyalkyl-monoalkylsiloxy units being about 3:1.

8. Organopolysiloxanes consisting essentially of dimethylsiloxy units and 3-(sulfolan-3-yloxy)propyl-methylsiloxy units in a mole ratio of about 3:1, respec-tively.

23.