Compounds of Silicon

What is Silicon?

What are Silicon Compounds?

Silica and silicates are the most abundant compounds on the earth’s crust(around 95%). Silicon dioxide(SiO₂) which is also known as silica is found in many crystallographic forms. Some crystalline forms of silica are quartz, cristobalite, tridymite and these are also interconvertible when applied to a suitable temperature. Silicon dioxide is covalent in nature and is attached to four oxygen atoms tetrahedrally.

The structure of SiO₂ is very huge and in this eight-membered ring is formed with alternate oxygen and silicon atoms. Because of the high bond enthalpy of the Si-O bond, it is unreactive to many acids, halogens as well as alkalies but gets dissolved in HF and NaOH.

Silica gel which is a drying agent also supports chromatographic materials and other catalysts.

Silicones:

It is a group of organosilicon polymers which have repeating units. Alkyl or Aryl substituted silicones are the starting products for the manufacture of silicones. As we know that silicones are surrounded by a non-polar alkyl group which is water repelling in nature. They have high thermal stability and are resistant to oxidation and chemicals. This compound has wide application as it is used as an electrical insulator and also in surgeries.

Silicates:

Silicates Structure

A big number of silicates unit exists which are zeolites etc. The structure of silicate is SiO₄^4-, in which the four oxygen atoms are attached to one silicon atom. When silicate units are joined together they form ring, chain as well as 3-D structure. Glass and cement are two important silicates that are man-made.

Zeolites:

Aluminosilicate is formed when in the three-dimensional structure of silicon dioxide where few of the silicon atoms are displaced by some aluminium atoms. Zeolites are basically used in the petrochemical industries as a catalyst. Alcohols can be directly converted to gasoline by using a zeolite called ZSM-5. Hard water can also be softened using these zeolites.

Register with BYJU’S to learn more about the topic in detail.