Process for the preparation of hydrogenosilanes or halogenosilanes

DETAILED DESCRIPTION What is claimed is: 1.
A process for the preparation of hydrogenosilanes or halogenosilanes of the general formula I: R--SiR'.
sub.
3 (I) in which: R represents a hydrogen or chlorine atom or an alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, aralkyl, aralkenyl, aralkynyl or alkylaryl radical in which the aliphatic fragments are linear, branched or cyclic and contain from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, and R' represents a hydrogen or chlorine atom, which comprises reacting a silicon complex corresponding to the general formula II: ##STR16## in which: R represents an alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, aralkyl, aralkenyl, aralkynyl or alkylaryl radical in which the aliphatic fragments are linear, branched or cyclic and contain from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, A represents an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal, n=0 or 1 and a, b, x and y=1 or 2, with the proviso that: when n=0, x=2 when n=1, x=1 and satisfying the equation of electrical neutrality: ax=by, with a reducing agent or a halogen-containing oxidizing agent in an anhydrous solvent medium and under an inert atmosphere, and then carrying out acid hydrolysis and extracting the said compound of the formula I.
2.
The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein a hexacoordinate silicon complex of the general formula IIa: ##STR17## in which: A represents an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal and p=0 or 1, is used.
3.
The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein a pentacoordinate silicon complex of the general formula IIb: ##STR18## in which: R denotes an alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, aralkyl, aralkenyl, aralkynyl or alkylaryl radical in which the aliphatic fragments are linear, branched or cyclic and contain from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, A represents an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal and m=1 or 2, is used.
4.
The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reducing agent is chosen from hydrides such as lithium aluminum hydride, diisobutylaluminum hydride and sodium hydride associated with a trialkylaluminum compound, especially triethylaluminum.
5.
The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the halogen-containing oxidizing agent is chosen from the group comprising chlorine, hydrochloric acid, PCl