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| Names | |
|---|---|
| IUPAC name Tetrasilane | |
| Other names n-Tetrasilane | |
| Identifiers | |
3D model (JSmol) | |
| ChemSpider | |
| ECHA InfoCard | 100.132.456 |
| EC Number |
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| UNII | |
| |
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| Properties | |
| H10Si4 | |
| Molar mass | 122.420 g·mol−1 |
| Appearance | colourless liquid that self ignite in air[1] |
| Density | 0.792 g·cm−3[2] |
| Melting point | −89.9 °C[2] |
| Boiling point | 108.1 °C[2] |
| reacts[1] | |
| Hazards | |
| GHS labelling: | |
 | |
| Danger | |
| H250 | |
| Related compounds | |
Related compounds | butane |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in theirstandard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). | |
Tetrasilane is asilane with thestructure formula SiH3–(SiH2)2–SiH3. It is the silane analog ofbutane.
Tetrasilane can be prepared by reactingmagnesium silicide (Mg2Si) with acids like 20%phosphoric acid in 50–60 °C.[3]
The reaction can produce silanes up to n=15. The reaction of magnesium silicide with 25%hydrochloric acid produces 40%monosilane, 30%disilane, 15%trisilane, 10% tetrasilane and 5% higher silanes.[4] The mixture can be separated byfractional distillation.
In addition, higher silanes can also be obtained by discharges monosilane:[3]
Tetrasilane is a colourless,pyrophoric liquid that has a disgusting odour. Even below 54 °C, it will still spontaneously combust.[1] It is even more unstable thantrisilane, slowly decomposing atroom temperature, releasing hydrogen and forming shorter chain silanes.[5]
Photochemical disproportionation of tetrasilane will produce3-silylpentasilane and disilane.[6]
With the presence ofaluminium chloride, heating tetrasilane inxylene will allow isomerization to isotetrasilane.[7]
