THE STUDY OF COMPLEX MINERAL SILICATES BY TRIMETHYLSILYLATION

The Lentz trimethylsilylation technique has been applied to study four micas: biotite, phlogopite, muscovite and suzorite. The Lentz derivit isation technique is shown to be independent of the exact amount of ph ase transfer agent (propan-2-ol or ethanol) present in the trimethylsi lylation of the micas as long as the ratio of mineral to hexamethyldis iloxane is held constant. The polyorganosiloxane product distribution is shown to be largely dependent on the amount and distribution of Al3 + present in the tetrahedral layers of the micas.