Si2O4

Si2O4 is a hypothetical silicon oxide compound. While silicon readily forms silicon dioxide (SiO2), also known as silica, and other silicon oxides like SiO, the stoichiometry of Si2O4 does not correspond to a stable, commonly observed phase of silicon oxide under typical terrestrial conditions. Its existence has been explored in theoretical studies and under extreme or exotic conditions, such as high pressure or in interstellar environments. Computational simulations suggest that Si2O4 might exist as a metastable phase or as a component in complex silicate structures. The specific arrangement of silicon and oxygen atoms within such a hypothetical structure would determine its properties. Research into such non-stoichiometric or less common silicon oxides often aims to understand the fundamental bonding and stability limits of silicon-oxygen systems, which have relevance in materials science and astrophysics. No significant practical applications or natural occurrences of a distinct Si2O4 phase have been widely reported.