Hydridosilanes

Hydridosilanes are a class of chemical compounds that contain silicon-hydrogen (Si-H) bonds, often in addition to silicon-silicon (Si-Si) bonds and potentially other substituents. They are silicon analogs of hydrocarbons, where silicon atoms are bonded to hydrogen atoms. The simplest hydridosilane is monosilane, SiH4, which is a gas. Higher hydridosilanes, such as disilane (Si2H6), trisilane (Si3H8), and so on, are also known, forming a homologous series similar to alkanes. These compounds are generally less stable than their carbon counterparts and can be pyrophoric, igniting spontaneously in air.

The Si-H bond is polar, with silicon being slightly electropositive and hydrogen slightly electronegative. This polarity influences their reactivity. Hydridosilanes are important precursors in materials science, particularly for the deposition of silicon-containing films, such as amorphous silicon and silicon nitride, through processes like chemical vapor deposition (CVD). They are also utilized as reducing agents in organic synthesis and as sources of silicon in various chemical transformations. The study of hydridosilanes is relevant to understanding the chemistry of silicon and developing new silicon-based materials and technologies.