One step process for converting high-boiling residue from direct process to monosilanes

A one-step process for the production of monosilanes from the high-boiling residue resulting from the reaction of organochlorides with silicon metalloid in a process typically referred to as the "direct process." The process comprises contacting a mixture comprising the high-boiling residue, an organotrichlorosilane, and hydrogen chloride with a catalytic amount of catalyst composition effective in promoting the formation of monosilanes from the high-boiling residue. A preferred catalyst composition comprises aluminum trichloride, at least a portion of which may be formed in situ during conduct of the direct process and isolation of the high-boiling residue. Typically, the monosilane product of the present process comprises almost exclusively methyltrichlorosilane and tetrachlorosilane.