Silicontooxygen
Silicontooxygen is a broad designation for chemical species that contain both silicon and oxygen. It is not a single compound, but a class that includes silicon oxides, silicates, and related silicon–oxygen compounds. The term emphasizes the central role of silicon–oxygen bonds in this chemistry and the structural diversity that arises from different degrees of polymerization and coordination.
In silicon–oxygen compounds, silicon is typically four‑fold coordinated to oxygen, as in silicon dioxide (SiO2), where
Common examples include silicon dioxide (SiO2), the most abundant oxide of silicon in nature and industry, and
Occurrence and applications: SiO2 occurs as quartz and in sand, glass, and ceramics. Silicates form the bulk
Synthesis and processing: industrial production involves oxidation of silicon or hydrolysis and condensation of silicate precursors.