Tetrasilane
Tetrasilane is a silane with the structure formula SiH3–2–SiH3. It is the silane analog of butane.
Preparation
Tetrasilane can be prepared by reacting magnesium silicide with acids like 20% phosphoric acid in 50–60 °C.The reaction can produce silanes up to n=15. The reaction of magnesium silicide with 25% hydrochloric acid produces 40% monosilane, 30% disilane, 15% trisilane, 10% tetrasilane and 5% higher silanes. The mixture can be separated by fractional distillation.
In addition, higher silanes can also be obtained by discharges monosilane:
Properties
Tetrasilane is a colourless, pyrophoric liquid that has a disgusting odour. Even below 54 °C, it will still spontaneously combust. It is even more unstable than trisilane, slowly decomposing at room temperature, releasing hydrogen and forming shorter chain silanes.Reactions
Photochemical disproportionation of tetrasilane will produce 3-silylpentasilane and disilane.With the presence of aluminium chloride, heating tetrasilane in xylene will allow isomerization to isotetrasilane.