TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INSTRUMENTATION AND TESTING - Preferred Components: The device further comprises: a mixing chamber for mixing (C) with the solvent, where the mixing chamber is connected to the reaction chamber; a by-product collection chamber, where the collection chamber is connected to the reaction chamber; a second chamber comprising an outer envelope, an internal wall separating the chamber into two distinct compartments, namely a first compartment containing the compound (C)/solvent mixture to be introduced in the reaction chamber and a second compartment containing the by-product (C1) collected from the reaction chamber, where the first and second compartment being each connected to the reaction chamber; and means for moving the internal wall relative to the outer envelope, so as to make the respective volumes of each compartment to vary.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Components: The amine based catalyst is a benzylamine optionally substituted by 1-3 R1d. The molar ratio of the amine based catalyst relative to (C) is 0.01-0.1 equivalents. The alcohol is methanol. The aqueous solution is a solution of alkaline or alkaline-earth metal hydroxide, preferably potassium hydroxide solution, a solution of mineral acid, preferably hydrochloric acid, or water. (C) comprises one or more silyl monomer units of formula (-((O)r-SiH(R1)-(R-SiH(R2))p)n-). (C) is polymethylhydrosiloxane, phenylsilane, tetrasilylmethane or 1,4-disilabutane. The solvent is an aqueous solution.R = bond, 1-6C alkylene, (1-4C alkylene)m-Z-(1-4C alkylene)q;Z = O, NR10, S(O)y, CR10=CR10, C?=C, 6-10C arylene, 5-10 membered heteroarylene or 3-6C cycloalkylene;R1, R2 = H, halo, 1-10C alkyl, 3-10C cycloalkyl, 6-12C aryl, aralkyl, 5-10-membered heteroaryl, OR3, NR4R5 or SiR6R7R8, where the aryl groups are optionally substituted by 1-3 R9 groups;R3 = H, 1-6C alkyl, 6-10C aryl or aralkyl;R4, R5 = H, 1-6C alkyl, 6-10C aryl or aralkyl;R6-R8 = H, OR3, 1-6C alkyl, 6-10C aryl or aralkyl;R9 = halo, 1-10C alkyl, OR10, NO2, NR11R12, CN, C(=O)R10, C(=O)OR10 or S(=O)CH3, where the alkyl group is optionally substituted by one or more halo;R10 = H or 1-3C alkyl;R11, R12 = H or 1-10C alkyl;m, q, r = 0 or 1;y = 0-2; andn, p = integers each representing the number of repeating units, with n being superior or equal than 1, and p being 0 or 1.Provided that p+r is 0 or 1, it being understood that when the solvent is an alcohol r is 0. Preferred Process: The process further comprises the subsequent recycling steps of contacting the by-product (C1) with an acyl halide, and contacting the obtained product with a metal hydride, hence regenerating (C).    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Components: The polymer supported catalyst is (aminomethyl)polystyrene. EXAMPLE - In a two-necked round flask connected to an isobaric equipment consisting of a graduated tube connected to a separator funnel filled with a copper sulfate solution was placed at 20 degrees C under air benzylamine (17 mg). Phenylsilane (359 mg) dissolved in methanol (316 mu l) was subsequently slowly introduced. Immediately, an exothermic reaction occurred with a hydrogen gas evolution representing a total volume of 260 ml in less than 30 seconds. Trimethoxy(phenyl)silane by-product was obtained as clear oil.