Microscale Gas Chemistry
 Silane Information

A. Appearance
         Silane, SiH4, is also called silicon tetrahydride, silicane and monosilane.  Silane is a colorless, flammable gas with a repulsive odor.
 

B. Physical Properties of SiH4

Molecular mass:  32.1179 g/mol
melting point   -185 oC
boiling point   -111.8 oC
 
C. History
     Silane was first prepared in 1857 by F. Wöhler and H. Buff by reacting HCl(aq) with Al-Si alloy or Mn2Si ((a) Ann. 102, 128 (1857); (b) Ann. 106, 56 (1858).  Both methods produce mixtures of products.  When Mn2Si is used, a mixture of silane with some disilane (Si2H6) are produced.

D. Natural Abundance
     Silane does not occur in nature.
 

E. Industrial Production
    Tetrahalosilanes, such as SiCl4, are reduced to SiH4 by hydrides such as LiH, NaH, or LiAlH4.
 

F. Industrial Uses
     Silane is used to produce ultra-pure silicon for use in the semiconductor applications.
 

G. Gas Density of SiH4
     The density of SiH4 is 1.3128 g/L at 25 oC and 1 atm.  This is 11% more dense than air.
 

H. Gas Solubility of SiH4
     Silane is insoluble in water and most organic solvents.

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