A process is provided for separating a mixture of alkoxysilanes and
alkanol, e.g., the crude product effluent of the Direct Reaction of
silicon metal with alkanol, which comprises: a) introducing a mixture of
alkoxysilane(s) and alkanol to a separation unit possessing a separation
membrane having a first surface and an opposing second surface; b)
contacting the mixture of alkoxysilane(s) and alkanol with the first
surface of the separation membrane whereby one or more components of the
mixture selectively absorb into the first surface and permeate
therethrough to the second surface under the influence of a concentration
gradient across the membrane thereby separating the mixture into an
alkanol-enriched permeate fraction and an alkanol-deficient retentate
fraction or an alkoxysilane-enriched permeate fraction and an
alkoxysilane-deficient retentate fraction; and, c) recovering the
permeate fraction.