Difenyyliisilaani

Difenyyliisilaani, known in English as diphenylsilane, is an organosilicon compound with the chemical formula SiH2(C6H5)2. It is classified as a hydrosilane, consisting of a silicon center bonded to two phenyl groups and two hydrogen atoms. The molecule adopts a roughly tetrahedral geometry around silicon and is typically encountered as a colorless liquid or low-melting substance in pure form.

The compound is moisture- and air-sensitive to some extent, as with many hydrosilanes. It can hydrolyze to form silanols and hydrogen gas upon contact with water or moisture. Diphenylsilane serves as a source of Si–H bonds in organic synthesis, making it useful for hydrosilylation reactions that add silicon–hydrogen across carbon–carbon multiple bonds. It is also employed as a precursor to other organosilicon compounds and can act as a milder reducing agent in certain transformations when used with appropriate catalysts or reagents.

Preparation methods for diphenylsilane generally involve the reduction of chlorinated or otherwise functionalized diphenylsilane derivatives, or hydrosilylation-based routes starting from phenyl-containing silicon precursors. Purity and handling conditions affect its reactivity and suitability for subsequent transformations.

Safety considerations include avoiding exposure to moisture and oxidants, using appropriate ventilation, and storing under inert conditions. Physical data and hazards can vary with grade and adjuvants in commercial samples, so standard chemical-handling precautions apply.

See also: hydrosilanes, hydrosilylation, organosilicon compounds, diphenylsilane derivatives.