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.