C2H7SiCl

Chlorodimethylsilane (C₂H₇SiCl) is an organosilicon compound composed of a silicon atom bonded to two methyl groups, one hydrogen atom, and one chloride. The molecular formula C₂H₇SiCl corresponds to a clear, slightly oxidized liquid with a faint, sweet odor. It has a molecular weight of 118.01 g mol⁻¹ and typically boils around 67 °C, while remaining miscible with most nonpolar solvents and only sparingly soluble in water. The colorless liquid is moderately reactive toward nucleophiles, undergoing substitution at the silicon center or oxidation to silanols and siloxanes.

Industrial production is generally achieved by the direct chlorination of dimethylsilane or by the reaction of chloromethylsilane with silicon tetrachloride in the presence of a suitable catalyst. The reaction of chlorodimethylsilane with organometallic reagents such as organolithium or Grignard reagents affords a variety of functionalized silanes, making it a useful building block for the synthesis of silicone polymers, emollient additives, and surface‑active agents. Because of its volatility and potential for release of hydrogen chloride upon hydrolysis, chlorodimethylsilane is handled under inert nitrogen or argon atmospheres and at temperatures below 50 °C to minimize corrosive side reactions.

In the laboratory it is frequently used as a precursor for the synthesis of organopolysiloxanes, as a reagent in cross‑coupling reactions forming silicon–carbon bonds, and as a source of the Si–Cl functional group in the functionalization of polymers. Environmental and occupational safety demands careful ventilation, protective gloves, and eye safety; the compound can irritate skin, eyes, and the respiratory tract, and prolonged exposure may lead to irritation of the mucous membranes. Standard measures include storage in tightly sealed containers, use of fume hoods, and adherence to the material safety data sheet specifications.

The material is classified as a volatile organic compound and is regulated under various chemical safety regulations. The use of chlorodimethylsilane is generally limited to controlled industrial or laboratory settings, and it is subject to regulatory restrictions where applicable.