PhCH3SiH2

Phenylsilane is a chemical compound with the formula C6H5SiH3. It consists of a phenyl group (C6H5) attached to a silicon atom, which is further bonded to three hydrogen atoms. The structure can be represented as PhCH3SiH2, although this notation is not standard for this compound. Phenylsilane is a colorless liquid with a characteristic odor.

Phenylsilane serves as a reducing agent in organic synthesis. It can be used to reduce various functional groups, including aldehydes, ketones, and imines, to their corresponding alcohols and amines, respectively. It is particularly useful for chemoselective reductions, meaning it can reduce one functional group in the presence of others. The silicon-hydrogen bonds in phenylsilane are reactive and can participate in addition reactions across unsaturated bonds. It is also employed as a precursor in the synthesis of organosilicon polymers and materials. Due to its reactivity, phenylsilane is typically handled with care, often under an inert atmosphere to prevent unwanted reactions with moisture or oxygen. Its physical properties, such as boiling point and density, are important for its handling and purification.