Question

If the starting material for the manufacture of silicones is RSiCl₃, write the structure of the product formed.

Answer 1

\[\ce{RSiCl_3  + 3H_2O -> RSi(OH)_3 + 3HCl}\]

1)

\[\begin{array}{cc}
\ce{R}\phantom{................}\ce{R}\phantom{................}\ce{R}\\
|\phantom{.................}|\phantom{.................}|\\
\ce{HO - Si - OH + HO - Si - OH + HO - Si - OH}\\
|\phantom{.................}|\phantom{.................}|\\
\phantom{..}\ce{OH}\phantom{..............}\ce{OH}\phantom{..............}\ce{OH}\\
\phantom{........}\downarrow\ce{-2H2O}\\
\ce{R}\phantom{........}\ce{R}\phantom{........}\ce{R}\phantom{.}\\
\phantom{.}|\phantom{.........}|\phantom{.........}|\phantom{..}\\
\ce{HO - Si - O - Si - O - Si - OH}\\
|\phantom{.........}|\phantom{.........}|\\
\phantom{..}\ce{OH}\phantom{......}\ce{OH}\phantom{......}\ce{OH}
\end{array}\]

2)