Silanes

Silanes are saturated chemical compounds consisting of one or multiple silicon atoms linked to each other or one or multiple atoms of other chemical elements as the tetrahedral centers of multiple single bonds. By definition, cycles are excluded, so that the silanes comprise a homologous series of inorganic compounds with the general formula Si
nH
2n + 2. Commercially available silanes are synthetically derived.

Each silicon atom has four bonds (either Si–H or Si–Si bonds), and each hydrogen atom is joined to a silicon atom (H–Si bonds). A series of linked silicon atoms is known as the silicon skeleton or silicon backbone. The number of silicon atoms is used to define the size of the silane (e.g., Si₂-silane).

Related to silanes, is a homologous series of functional groups, side-chains or radicals with the general formula Si
nH
2n + 2. Examples include silyl and disilanyl.

The simplest possible silane (the parent molecule) is silane, SiH
4. There is no limit to the number of silicon atoms that can be linked together, the only limitation being that the molecule is acyclic, is saturated, and is a hydrosilicon.

Silanes are very reactive and have moderate biological activity.

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