New direct transformation reaction of SiF4 with methanol and aluminum with the aid of iodine to prepare tetramethoxysilane and aluminum fluoride

•We report a new alcoholysis reaction of SiF4, methanol and Al.•The reaction gives Si(OCH3)4 and AlF3 as the products in good yields.•The reaction was studied and the condition is mild.•The method easily transfers inorganic silicon of SiF4 to organic silicon compound.

A new alcoholysis reaction of silicon tetrafluoride with methanol in the presence of aluminum can directly afford tetramethoxysilane and aluminum fluoride. The reaction conditions were investigated in detail to find that the catalytic amount of iodine was effective for the transformation.

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