Nomenclature
CAS number: 1590-87-0
Disilicoethane; disilicon hexahydride; silicoethane; disilicane.
H
6Si
2; mol wt 62.22.
H 9.72%, Si 90.28%.
Si
2H
6.
Description and references
Obtained by separation of mixed silanes prepd
from magnesium silicide and hydrochloric acid: Moissan, Smiles, Compt. Rend. 134, 569, 1549 (1902);
Stock, Somiesky, Ber. 49, 111 (1916); 54B, 524 (1921); 56B, 247 (1923);
Culbertson, US 2551571 (1951 to Union Carbide); prepd by conversion
of silane to higher silanes in an ozonizer type electric discharge:
Spanier, MacDiarmid, Inorg. Chem. 1, 432 (1962).
Properties
Gas; repulsive odor. d4-25 0.686. mp -132.5°. bp -14.5°. Dec 300°. Ignites spontaneously
in air. Slowly dec in water. Explodes on contact with sulfur hexafluoride;
reacts vigorously with carbon tetrachloride and chloroform. Sol in
carbon disulfide, ethyl alcohol, benzene, and ethyl silicate. Potassium
hydroxide liberates hydrogen.Caution
A powerful irritant.