Disilane

Disilicoethan

Colorless gas with an unpleasant odor

Gaseous

• 2.66 g · l-1 (at 15 ° C)
• 0.69 g · cm -3 ( at -25 ° C)

-132.5 ° C

-14.5 ° C

0.33 MPa (21 ° C)

Decomposition with water

Risk

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Disilane (n- Si2H6 ) is a chemical compound belonging to the group of silicon hydrides ( silanes), where it forms the analogue of the hydrocarbon ethane. Because of the shortness of the chain there are like at Ethan no isomerism.

Production and representation

Disilane can be obtained by acid decomposition of magnesium silicide or by the action of electrical discharges on monosilane and subsequent fractional condensation of the resulting silane mixture. The direct recovery by reducing hexachlorodisilane with lithium aluminum hydride is preferred however.

Properties and Uses

Disilane is a colorless, unpleasant smelling gas, which ignites on contact with air by itself, silica and water releases. On combination with water disilane is hydrolyzed. In case of contact with halogens or halogenated hydrocarbons, oxygen, bases and oxidizing agents explosive reaction. From 300 ° C, disilane decomposes into silicon and hydrogen.

Industrially disilane used for coating of products with the amorphous silicon layers ( CVD method) and in the production and purification of silicon containing wafers ( integrated circuit ).