US Patent 6998437 Preparation of polydiorganosiloxanes

Polydiorganosiloxanes of the general formulaR1—(OSiR2)nOH  (I)are prepared by reacting hexaorganocyclotrisiloxanes of the formula(R2SiO)3  (II)with alcohols of the formulaR1—OH  (III)where each R is the same or different and is a monovalent, optionally substituted hydrocarbon radical,R1 is a monovalent, optionally substituted hydrocarbon radical andn is an integer of at least 3,in the presence of a carbonate salt as a catalyst.