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Silicon tetrachloride
Silicon tetrachloride or tetrachlorosilane is the inorganic compound with the formula SiCl4. It is a colorless volatile liquid that fumes in air. It is used to produce high-purity silicon and silica for commercial applications. It is a part of the chlorosilane family.
Silicon tetrachloride is prepared by the chlorination of various silicon compounds such as ferrosilicon, silicon carbide, or mixtures of silicon dioxide and carbon. The ferrosilicon route is most common.
In the laboratory, SiCl4 can be prepared by treating silicon with chlorine at 600 °C (1,112 °F):
It was first prepared by Jöns Jakob Berzelius in 1823.
Brine can be contaminated with silica when the production of chlorine is a byproduct of a metal refining process from metal chloride ore. In rare occurrences, the silicon dioxide in silica is converted to silicon tetrachloride when the contaminated brine is electrolyzed.
Like other chlorosilanes or silanes, silicon tetrachloride reacts readily with water:
The reaction can be noticed on exposure of the liquid to air, as SiCl4 vapour produces fumes as it reacts with moisture to give a cloud-like aerosol of silica and hydrochloric acid. In contrast, carbon tetrachloride is not readily hydrolyzed.
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Silicon tetrachloride
Silicon tetrachloride or tetrachlorosilane is the inorganic compound with the formula SiCl4. It is a colorless volatile liquid that fumes in air. It is used to produce high-purity silicon and silica for commercial applications. It is a part of the chlorosilane family.
Silicon tetrachloride is prepared by the chlorination of various silicon compounds such as ferrosilicon, silicon carbide, or mixtures of silicon dioxide and carbon. The ferrosilicon route is most common.
In the laboratory, SiCl4 can be prepared by treating silicon with chlorine at 600 °C (1,112 °F):
It was first prepared by Jöns Jakob Berzelius in 1823.
Brine can be contaminated with silica when the production of chlorine is a byproduct of a metal refining process from metal chloride ore. In rare occurrences, the silicon dioxide in silica is converted to silicon tetrachloride when the contaminated brine is electrolyzed.
Like other chlorosilanes or silanes, silicon tetrachloride reacts readily with water:
The reaction can be noticed on exposure of the liquid to air, as SiCl4 vapour produces fumes as it reacts with moisture to give a cloud-like aerosol of silica and hydrochloric acid. In contrast, carbon tetrachloride is not readily hydrolyzed.