The complete analysis of the polyorganosiloxanes formed by the trimethylsilylation of the minerals olivine and suzorite

Methods are reported for the separation and complete quantitative estimation of the polyorganosiloxanes prepared by the trimethylsilylation of mineral silicates. Quantitative methods for the determination of low molecular weight oligomers up to Q₆M₁₂ (Q≡SiO_4/2; M≡(CH₃)₃SiO_1/2) are well known but there are no previously reported methods for the determination of high molecular weight species. This paper describes the application of gel permeation chromatography and quantitative high performance liquid chromatography to the study of these higher molecular weight species. Polyorganosiloxanes prepared from suzorite (a phlogopite) and from olivine (an orthosilicate) are used as examples. A further example is a study of the formation of higher molecular weight species on heating these polymers.