CHEM415 : Chemistry of

main group Elements

CHEM415 Chemistry of main group Elements Credits: 3
Pre-requisite: B.Sc. Chemistry or equivalent or should have earned all hard-core credits up to 4th
semester in the five-years integrated program

Learning Outcome: Predict, analyse properties of main group elements and their reaction properties
and various structural features of compounds formed by these elements

Course Content:
Unit I (Boron)
Synthesis, properties, bonding and structures of B2H6, Wades
rule - structural features of B4H10, B5H9, B5H11, B6H10,
B10H14, carboranes and their anions, metalloboranes,
metallacarboranes, Borazine, Boron nitride.

Unit II (Silicon)
Silanes, cyclosilanes, siloxanes, cyclic siloxanes, Silicon nitrides,
Silyl amines, Silicates-classification, diversity of silicate minerals,
synthesis and applications of silicones, zeolites and ultramarines
Unit III (Nitrogen, Phosphorous, Sulphur)

Hydrides-N2H4-conformations, oxides and oxy acids of nitrogen,

phosphorous, sulphur; phosphazines-synthesis, structure,
reactivity, applications; comparison with borazine-sulphur-nitrogen
compounds-S4N4, S2N2, (SN)x.

Unit IV (Main group Organometallics)

Classification and structure, ionic and electron deficient
compounds of groups 1, 2 and 12; Electron deficient compounds
of the boron group; Electron-precise compounds of the carbon
group. Electron-rich compounds of the nitrogen group.

Unit V (Miscellaneous Topics)

Pseudohalogens, Interhalogens, Xenon compounds-Fluorides,
oxides, oxyhalides- Poly oxo metallates-isopoly anions of
Chromium, Vanadium, Phosphorous, Molybdenum and Tungsten,
heteropoly anions of Molybdenum and Tungsten.
Textbook:

1. F. A. Cotton, G. Wilkinson, Advanced Inorganic Chemistry, 6ed, John Wiley, 2004.

2. J. E. Huheey, Inorganic Chemistry, 4ed, Harper International, 2002.
3. N. N. Greenwood, A. Earnshaw, Chemistry of the Elements, 2ed, BH, 1997.
4. D. F. Shriver, P. W. Atkins, C. H. Langford, 3ed, Inorganic Chemistry, ELBS. 1999.
5. W. L. Jolly, Modern Inorganic Chemistry, 2ed, McGraw-Hill, 1991.
6. M. F. Purcell, J. C. Kotz, Inorganic Chemistry, Saunder, 2010.
7. A, Th. J. Eliase Chemistry of the p-Block Elements, University Press, 2018. Pre-
requisite
Unit II : Silicon
Silanes
 Why is SiH5- a stable intermediate while CH5- is a transition state?

J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1990, 112, 4, 1407–1413

A fundamental chemical phenomenon is the different nature of the SN2-type reactions at carbon and silicon.2 This
difference is exemplified in the simplest of these reactions, the H- exchange in eqs 1 and 2.

These two reactions are isoelectronic in terms of valence electrons and isostructural in terms of the geometric types of
the main species along the reaction coordinate. Despite these similarities, the two reactions are quantitatively
different. Thus, in reaction 1, the trigonal-bipyramidal CH5- is a high-energy transition state lying some 52-64 kcal/mol
above the reactants and products, depending on the level of calculation. On the other hand, in reaction 2 the trigonal
bipyramidal structure, recently synthesized and characterized in a gas-phase reaction, is an intermediate, 13-20
kcal/mol lower than reactants and products, depending on the method of estimation. One possible explanation is the
participation of d-orbitals which endow Si with aptitude for pentacoordination.
Moreover, in SiH5" both Axial and equatorial bonds participating in the bond elongation
deformation, while in CHS" only the axial bonds are significantly stretched.
BASIC IDEA OF SILOXANES:

• Silicon (Si) is the second most abundant element on Earth after oxygen. Chemically, siloxanes are
volatile organosilicon compounds that consist of a backbone of repeating silicon-oxygen (Si-O)
bonds with organic groups attached to the silicon atom. Structurally, siloxanes can be either linear
or cyclic.

Siloxane Functional Group

CYCLOMETHICONE

● Are cyclic.

● Has a monomer backbone with one Si and O atoms.

● Short backbone, cycles with methyl group.

● Used in cosmetics needs to get evaporated.

● Manufactured by dow corning.

SYNTHESIS OF SILOXANES:

• The major route of forming a siloxane linkage is by condensation of two silanols. We can produce
silanol by hydrolysis of silyl chloride.
• Dimethyldichlorosilane (Si(CH3)2Cl2) is a key precursor to cyclic (D3, D4, etc.) and linear
siloxanes.
• 2 R3Si−Cl + H2O → R3Si−O−SiR3 + 2 HCl
• The reaction proceeds via the initial formation of silanols (R3Si−OH):
• R3Si−Cl + H2O → R3Si−OH + HCl
• The siloxane bond can then form via a silanol + silanol pathway or a silanol + chlorosilane pathway:
• 2 R3Si−OH → R3Si−O−SiR3 + H2O
• R3Si−OH + R3Si−Cl → R3Si−O−SiR3 + HCl
2. From trisilanols:
SYNTHESIS OF SILOXANES:

• Hydrolysis of a silyldichloride can afford linear or cyclic products. Linear products are terminated
with silanol groups:
• n R2Si(OH)2 → H(R2SiO)nOH + (n − 1) H2O
• Cyclic products have no silanol termini:
• n R2Si(OH)2 → (R2SiO)n + n H2O

• The linear products, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), are of great

commercial value.
REACTIONS OF SILOXANES:

• Oxidation of organosilicon compounds, including siloxanes, gives silicon dioxide. This

conversion is illustrated by the combustion of hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane:
• ((CH3)2SiO)3 + 12 O2 → 3 SiO2 + 6 CO2 + 9 H2O
• Strong base degrades siloxane group, often affording siloxide salts:
• ((CH3)3Si)2O + 2 NaOH → 2 (CH3)3SiONa + H2O
• This reaction proceeds by production of silanols. Similar reactions are used industrially to convert
cyclic siloxanes to linear polymers.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SILICONS AND SILOXANES:

• Silicone and siloxane are not the same. The key difference between silicone and siloxane is that
silicone is a polymer material whereas siloxane is a functional group.

• Furthermore, silicone has a number of siloxane groups repeating throughout the structure while the
structure of siloxane is Si—O-Si bond.

• Considering the stability, silicone is very stable because of the Si-O-Si backbone which has no
carbon-carbon bonds and Siloxane is unstable because it is a functional group and tends to react to
form either a molecule or a polymer.
CHEMISTRY OF CYCLIC SILOXANES:

• Cyclic siloxanes (Commercial name Cyclomethicone) are basic members of the broad family of
silicone materials.All silicone materials share a common chemistry but each substance is different
when it comes to its properties and use.

• cyclosiloxanes is that they contain repeating units of silicone (Si) and

oxygen (O) atoms in a closed loop, giving it a “cyclic” structure.

• cyclosiloxanes their unique properties as hybrid inorganic-organic substances.

PROPERTIES OF CYCLIC SILOXANES AND THEIR APPLICATIONS:

• D4, D5 and D6 this three main cyclosiloxanes are commercial production and several decades of research has
proven that they are safe for human health and the environment.
• D4 molecule structure: D3 molecule structure:(also a example of cyclic siloxanes)
•

Octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane(D4),contains four re-peating units of silicone (Si) and

oxygen (O) atoms in a closed (cyclic) loop.

HEXAMETHYLCYCLOTRISILOXANES
 PROPERTIES OF CYCLIC SILOXANES AND THEIR APPLICATIONS:

• D5 molecule structure: D6 molecule structure:

Decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (D5), contains five repeating units of silicon (Si) and Dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane (D6), contains six repeating units of silicon (Si) and
oxygen (O) atoms in a closed (cyclic) loop. oxygen (O) atoms in a closed loop, giving it a “cyclic” structure.
PROPERTIES OF CYCLIC SILOXANES AND THEIR APPLICATIONS:

• Application of D4, D5 and D6:

1. D4, D5 and D6 is an odourless, colourless liquid mostly used as an intermediate or
basic raw material in the production of silicone rubbers, gels and resins.
2. D5 used in cosmetic applications such as skin creams and sunscreen, where it may be
labelled “cyclomethicone” or “cyclopentasiloxane”. D5 can also be used as a dry-
cleaning solvent in closed systems, which significantly limits exposure to workers,
consumers and the environment.
3. D6 also used in cosmetic applications such as skin creams and sunscreen, where it
may be labelled “cyclomethicone” or “cyclohexasiloxane
NOMENCLATURE

Cyclic siloxanes Linear siloxanes

L2, MM: hexamethyldisiloxane

D3: hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane L3, MDM: octamethyltrisiloxane

D4: octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane L4, MD2M: decamethyltetrasiloxane

D5: decamethylcyclopentasiloxane L5, MD3M: dodecamethylpentasiloxane

D6: dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane L6, MD4M: tetradecamethylhexasiloxane

 SOME OTHER APPLICATION OF CYCLIC SILOXANES:
• Cyclic siloxanes are man made and have many commercial and industrial application because of the
compound, hydrophobicity, low thermal conductivity and high flexibility.
• In hair care, cyclic siloxane can reduce frizz and add shine, which is why you’ll find it in many
conventional shampoos. It also make the hair easier to brush without breaking. This is because it
creates a plastic-y layer over the hair shaft.
• Cyclic siloxanes also use in colour industry. paint based on cyclic siloxane binders designed for the
protection and decoration of new and old walls that require a high water vapour permeability
combined with excellent water repellency and optimal protection to withstand aggressive
environmental agents, in all weather conditions
SOME OTHER APPLICATION OF CYCLIC SILOXANES:

• A huge application of cyclic siloxanes in pharmaceutical and medical industry. Because of their inert,
oderless and colourless quality in addition to their volatility and smooth feel.

• Cyclic siloxanes are used as antifoaming agents during drilling by oil producers.

• Cyclic siloxanes also use in food industry.

• Cyclic siloxane polymers are useful as sealers for waterproofing surfaces.

• Cyclic siloxanes lot of applications also present in surrounding.

ARE CYCLIC SILOXANES TOXIC?

• Generally, cyclic siloxanes are well tolerated by the human organism, and therefore they are an
integral part of innovative methods of treatment, health care and nursing. They are commonly
regarded as non-toxic to humans and the environment, or toxic to a very small extend.

• Personal Care products to limit the concentration of D4,D5 and D6 to

less than 0.1 % in the end-product. This restriction aims at emissions to water. 31
January 2020 by european authorities
 Silicates are the minerals containing silicon and
oxygen in tetrahedral SiO44- which are linked together
in several patterns. Depending on the way the
tetrahedral units are linked they are divided into
various types.
 The structure of various silicates have been solved by X-ray
crystallographic methods.
1. The electronegativity difference between O and Si is 1.7 which suggests
that bonds are 50% ionic and 50% covalent.
2. Si atom is 4-coordinate and is surrounded by four O atoms at corners of
a tetrahedron.
3. SiO4 tetrahedra may exist as discrete units or may polymerise into
larger units by sharing O atoms.
4. The close packed structures have tetrahedral and octahedral holes and
metal ions may occupy either octahedral or tetrahedral sides
depending on their size.
 The way in which the SiO44- tetrahedral units are linked together provides a
convinient classification of many silicate minerals. They are classified as –
➢Orthosilicates
➢Pyrosilicates
➢Cyclic silicates
➢Chain silicates
➢Sheet silicates
➢Three dimensional silicates
➢Also called neso-silicates.
➢Contain discrete SiO44- tetrahedra, that is they have no corners.
➢Have formula M2II[SiO4], where M maybe Be,Mg,Fe,Mn,Zn or MIV[SiO4] as in
ZrSiO4.
➢Examples: willemite Zn2[SiO4] and phenacite Be2[SiO4] with Zn and Be having
coordination number 4 and occupying tetrahedral holes. In forsterite Mg2[SiO4]
,Magnesium has coordination number six and occupies octahedral holes.
➢Garnets are also minerals with discrete tetrahedra and are used as red
gemstones.
➢Also called soro-silicates or disilicates
➢Have the basic unit as Si2O76-.
➢Two tetrahedral units are joined by sharing the O
atom at one corner, thus giving the unit Si2O76-.
➢The simplest of the condensed silicate ions.
➢Examples: Throtvitite Sc2[Si2O7], Lanthanide
disilicates Ln2[Si2O7], Hemimorphite
Zn4(OH)2[SiO7].
➢Have the basic units as (SiO3)n2n-.
➢Two oxygen atoms are shared per tetrahedron and the general formula of the ring structure
is given by (SiO3)n2n-.
➢Rings with 3,4,6 & 8 tetrahedral units are known with three and six membered rings being
more common.
➢Cyclic ion Si3O96- occurs in wollastonite Ca3[Si3O9] and benitoite BaTi[Si3O9].
➢The Si6O1812- units occur in Beryl Be3Al2[Si6O18]. The Si6O18 are aligned one above the other,
leaving channels. Na, Li, Cs metals are commonly found in these channels and are permeable
to gases consisting of small atoms ex- helium.
➢Beryl is found with granite and usually forms pale green crystals which are six sided prisms
and are both gemstones.
wollastonite Ca3[Si3O9] benitoite BaTi[Si3O9]
1.BaTi[Si3O9] is a class of (GATE 2007 Q.7)
(a) Ortho silicate (b) Cyclic silicate
(c) Chain silicate (d) Sheet silicate

Answer: (b) Cyclic silicate

Explanation:
The compound exists as Ba2+ Ti4+ (Si3O9)6-. Here, (Si3O9)6- resembles
(SinO3n)2n- which is the general formula for cyclic silicates.
➢Also called pyroxenes.
➢Formed by the sharing of O atoms on two corners of each
tetrahedron with other other tetrahedra.
➢Has the basic formula for single chain silicates (SiO3)n2n- and double
chain silicates have the formula (Si4O11)n6n-
➢Most common arrangement repeats after every tetrahedron.
➢Example: Spodumene LiAl[(SiO3)2] (which is the main source of
Li),Enstatite Mg2[(SiO3)2] and Diopsite CaMg[(SiO3)2].Wollastonite
has a repeating unit of 3 tetrahedra.
 AMPHIBOLES: These are formed when two
simple chains are joined together by sharing
oxygen and forming double chains. These
chains may have the formula (Si2O5)n2n-
,(Si4O11)n6n-,(Si6O17)n10n- .
•The best known amphiboles are asbestos
minerals having structural unit (Si4O11)n6n-
,where hydroxyl groups are attached to the
metal ions.
➢Also called phyllo-silicates.
➢When SiO4 units share three corners the structure formed is an
infinite two-dimensional sheet of empirical formula (Si2O5)n2n- .
➢There exist strong bonds within the Si-O sheet,but much weaker
forces hold each sheet to the next one.
➢When the phyllo-silicates contain hydroxyl ion with OH located at
the center of the six membered rings,then the group becomes
Si2O5(OH)3-.
There are two groups of sheet silicates:
➢The trioctahedral sheet silicates where each O
or OH ion is surrounded by 3 divalent cations
Mg2+ or Fe2+.
➢The dioctahedral sheet silicates where each O
or OH ion is surrounded by two trivalent
cations,usually Al3+.

Another important sheet silicate is vermiculite

which is similar to the talc structure with layers of
water molecules occuring between each
tetrahedral-octahedral-tetrahedral layer.
➢They share all four corners of a SiO4 tetrahedron.
➢It has a general formula of SiO2.
➢The cations like K+,Na+ ,Ca2+ or Ba2+ occupy holes in the lattice.
➢Three-dimensional frameworks are the most structurally
complicated silicates. They are based on networks of Si and O that
extend in all three dimensions. Examples of such minerals include
quartz, zeolites, and feldspars. Silicate minerals containing three-
dimensional frameworks are termed tectosilicates.
➢Replacements of one quarter or one half of the Si atoms result in
three groups of minerals-
1. FELDSPAR- They constitute the two-thirds of the
igneous rocks. For examPle, granite. They are
divided into two classes- orthoclase and plagioclase.
2. ZEOLITES- They have much more open structure
than feldspar. The anion skeleton is penetrated by
channels giving a honeycomb like structure. They
are often used as ion exchange materials and as
molecular sieves.
3. ULTRAMARINES- They are a group of related
compounds which contain no water but do contain
anions such as Cl-, SO42- and S22-. It is used as a blue
pigment in oil based paints and ceramics. Some
examples of these are ultramarine- Na8[(AlSiO4)6]S2,
sodalite- Na8[(AlSiO4)6]Cl2, nosean-
Na8[(AlSiO4)6]SO4.
Orthoclase is a feldspar mineral with a chemical composition of
KAlSi3O8. It is one of the most abundant rock-forming minerals of
the continental crust. Orthoclase is most widely known as the
pink feldspar found in many granites and as the mineral assigned a
hardness of "6" in the Mohs hardness scale.
What is Mohs Hardness
Scale?
The Mohs scale of mineral
hardness characterizes the
scratch resistance of various
minerals through the ability of a
harder material to scratch a
softer material. It was created
in 1812 by the German
geologist and mineralogist
Friedrich Mohs and is one of
several definitions of hardness
in materials science.
 ZEOLITES
Zeolite is the example of 3-dimentional aluminosilicate. Its basic
structural unit is (Si,Al)O2X- .THESE basic structural unit may undergo
oligomerisation to produce the 6-membered [(Si, Al)O2]6 and 4-membered
{Si ,Al)O2}4 rings
These rings may interlink to give the larger polyhedral cluster [Si, Al)24O48]
known as sodalite cage having both square and hexagonal faces. These
sodalitecage is constructed by ( 24SiO4, AlO4) tetrahedra

These sodalite cages interlink in different ways by using the square and
hexagonal faces to generate the three dimensional structure of zeolite with
open channels .each vertices occupied either by Si4+ or Al3+
FIG OF SODALITE CAGE

SODALITE CAGE

VIII
The diameter of the open channels depends on the mode of combination of
the sodalite cages.There are about 80 naturally occurring zeolite (e.g natrolite
commonly called Na- zeolite used as permutit water softeners) and about 200
synthesis zeolite (e,g Linde-A ZSM-5, etc). Zeolite can act as molecular sieves
to accommodate the molecules of appropriate size in their open channels

EXAMPLE OF SOME ZEOLITE

NAME FOEMULA
Properties of zeolites
❖1-:-Exchangeable cation and molecular sieves in zeolite
❖ To neutralise the negative charge of the polyaminosilicate ions, htdrated cations are trapped into the
channels. By heating ,the water of hydration of the trapped metal ions can be driven off to produce the
dehydrated zeolite with open channels commonly known as molecular sieves which can selectively trap
different small molecules of appropriate size .these channels can produce clathrate complex i.e guest-host
interaction
❖2-:-Lewis acidic property of zeolite

Zeolite on treated with acid produces zeolite in H+ form through the replacement of exchangeable
metal ions by H+ .This H+ from of zeolite on dehydration produce the coordinatively unsaturated
cationic Si-centres that can act as strong lewis acid
Practical application of zeolite
1-;-Drying agent
2-:-Water softening
3-:-separation of hydrocarbons
4-:-Separation of hydrocarbon
5-:-catalytic activity : it is used as a heterogeneous catalyst.ZSM-5 (zeolite socony-mobil) is used for selective synthesis of
p-xylene from toluene

6-:-production of gasoline – ZMS-5 is used in production of gasoline from methanol

Ultramarine is a complex sodium silicate containing sulfur and aluminum with the chemical formula
Na7Al6Si6O24S3. The intense and unique blue color is caused by the unpaired electron in the sulfur
radical anions S3-.

The pigment consists of an aluminosilicate lattice, with the sulphur radical anions S3- trapped within the
cage-like structure. It is unique among readily available pigments, as it is the only example of an anion-
anion charge transfer reaction. In other words, the colour is provided by the movement of electrons within
the various energy levels that the sulphur radicals possess.

It is chemically stable under normal conditions and is also resistant to high temperatures. The
pigment is also resistant to alkaline solutions and can thus be employed in fresco, it is, however,
unstable even in dilute acids and decomposes to yield hydrogen sulfide.
Fresco
A fresco is a type of wall painting. The term comes from the Italian word for fresh because
plaster is applied to the walls while still wet

Fresco Painting on Wall

at Rs 2000/square feet

Fresco, the Italian word for

fresh, is a form of mural
painting in which earth
pigments are painted
directly on fresh, wet, lime
plaster. As the plaster dries, a
chemical process bonds the
pigment and plaster together.
School of Athens The Vatican houses some of the greatest fresco artists of
Artist: Rafael all time and Rafael is very much at the top of the list. He
Location: Vatican painted the School of Athens between 1509 and 1511
Assumption of the Virgin
Artist: Titian
Location: Venice, Italy
Talc is a natural mineral (Mg3Si4 O10(OH)2 - molecular weight 379.26). As shown in
the opposite figure, its elementary sheet is composed of a layer of magnesium-
oxygen/hydroxyl octahedra, sandwiched between two layers of tetrahedral silica.
Talc is a clay mineral, composed of hydrated magnesium silicate with the
chemical formula Mg3Si4O10(OH)2. Talc in powdered form, often combined with corn
starch, is used as baby powder.

Talc is the softest

mineral, demonstrated
by its position at the
bottom of Mohs' Scale of
Hardness with a relative
hardness value of 1. It
has a soapy, greasy
feel. Talc is formed by
the hydrothermal
alteration of ultrabasic
rocks.
Talc
 Major group Structure Chemical formula Example
isolated silicon
Nesosilicates [SiO4]4− olivine
tetrahedra
double epidote, melilite
Sorosilicates [Si2O7]6−
tetrahedra group
Cyclosilicates rings [SinO3n]2n− tourmaline group
Inosilicates single chain [SinO3n]2n− pyroxene group
Inosilicates double chain [Si4nO11n]6n− amphibole group
Phyllosilicates sheets [Si2nO5n]2n− micas and clays
quartz, feldspars,
Tectosilicates 3D framework [AlxSiyO(2x+2y)]x−
zeolite
Home work
1)Why are most of the silicates insoluble?
ANS: The electronegativity difference between Si and O,3.5-
1.8=1.7 suggests that bonds are almost 50% ionic and 60%
covalent and due to their infinite ionic structure and great
strength of Si-O bond, most of the silicates are insoluble.
2)Why we must not use soluble silicates in hard water?
ANS: Soluble silicates must not be used if water is hard because
they react with Ca2+ to form insoluble calcium silicate.
3) Why is zircon (ZnSiO4) much softer than diamond?
ANS: Zircon has a coordination number of 8. The structure is not
close packed which results in decrease of the strength.The cut
edges which makeup the gem attractive eventually wear and
spoil the look of the stone.
4) What are ferromagnesian minerals?
ANS: They are the silicate minerals in which cations of iron
and magnesium form essential chemical components. The
term is used to cover such minerals as the
olivines,pyroxenes,amphibolesand the micas biotite and
phlogopite.
5) What is the domestic use of ultramarine?
ANS: Before the days of detergents with artificial
brighteners,synthetic ultramarines was used as a blueing
agent (called dolly blue) to make domestic washing appear
white by masking any yellowness.
6) Give one example of silicates with non-tetrahedral silicon?
ANS: Silicon may also occur with higher coordination
numbers.For example, in anion hexafluorosilicate SiF62- ,the
silicon atom is surrounded by six fluorine atoms in an
octahedral arrangement. This structure is also seen in the
hexahydroxysilicate anion Si(OH)62- that occurs in thaumasite.
 SILICONES
Silicones are a group of organosilicon polymers containing alternate
silicon and oxygen atoms with alkyl or aryl groups attached to silicon.
The starting materials for the synthesis of these polymers are alkyl-
substituated silicon chlorides that are prepare by the reaction of alkyl
chloride with silicon in presence of copper as a catalyst
Silicones are obtained by Synthesis of a mixture of alkyl-substituted silicon chlorides .The
product may be long chain or cyclic

Long chain
 Long chain
Cyclic

Properties of silicones

Silicones have high thermal stability and good electrical insulators and have
antifoam ,nonstick and water repeltant properties .They have manifold
industrial applications due to their unique properties
 Nomenclature
The most common silicones are the polydimethylsiloxanes, trimethylsilyloxy terminated, with the
following structure: Me Me Me I I I Me - Si - O - (Si - O)n - Si - Me or Me3SiO (SiMe2O)n SiMe3 where n
= 0, 1, ... I I I Me Me Me These are linear polymers and liquids, even for large values of n. The main
chain unit, - (SiMe2O) -, is often shortened to the letter D because, as the silicon atom is connected
with two oxygen atoms, this unit is capable of expanding within the polymer in two directions. In a
similar way, M, T and Q units can be defined corresponding to:3
The above polymer can also be described as MDnM. This allows simplifying the description of
various structures like (Me3SiO)4Si or tetrakis(trimethylsilyloxy)silane, which becomes M4Q.
Superscripts are sometimes used to indicate groups other than methyl (e.g., DH for HMeSiO2/2).
Note: Confusion is common between silicon (Si, a metallic element), silica (SiO2 , an inorganic
compound) and silicone (a polymeric compound).4 Monomeric species are named by substitution
based on SiH4 or silane (a volatile and pyrophoric compound); so Me2SiCl2 is named
dimethyldichlorosilane.

Silicone Analysis
Structure can be analysed by NMR of the 29Si (I=1/2) because of its high relative abundance (4.7
%). The interpretation is eased by large chemical shifts. This allows identifying and studying the
distribution of various groups within a copolymer
Uses of silicones

Electrical (e.g., insulation), electronics (e.g., coatings), household (e.g.,

sealants for cooking apparatus), automobile (e.g., gaskets), aeroplane
(e.g., seals), office machines (e.g., keyboard pads), medicine and
dentistry (e.g., tooth impression molds), textiles and paper (e.g.,
coatings)

Personal Care Products

Household Products
Aviation and Arospace
Health Care
Textiles and Leather