Silane

silane

 or silicon hydride

Any of a series of inorganic compounds of silicon and hydrogen with covalent bonds and the general chemical formula Si_nH_{(2n + 2)}. Silanes are structural analogs of saturated hydrocarbons (see saturation; alkane) but are much less stable. All burn or explode when exposed to air and react readily with halogens or hydrogen halides to form halogenated silanes and with olefins to form alkylsilanes, products used as water repellents and as starting materials for silicones.

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silane [′si‚lān]

(inorganic chemistry)

Si_nH_2n+2A class of silicon-based compounds analogous to alkanes, that is, straight-chain, saturated paraffin hydrocarbons; they can be gaseous or liquid. Also known as silicon hydride.

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Silane 

any one of several compounds of silicon with hydrogen that have the general formula Si_nH_2n+n (seeSILICON HYDRIDES).