Organosilicon chemistry is the study of organometallic compounds containing carbon–silicon bonds, to which they are called organosilicon compounds. Most organosilicon compounds are similar to the ordinary organic compounds, being colourless, flammable, hydrophobic, and stable to air. Silicon carbide is an inorganic compound.
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Organosilicon chemistry in the context of Silicone
In organosilicon and polymer chemistry, a silicone or polysiloxane is a polymer composed of repeating units of siloxane (−O−R2Si−O−SiR2−, where "R" stands for an organic group). They are typically colorless oils or rubber-like substances. Silicones are used in sealants, adhesives, lubricants, medicine, cooking utensils, thermal insulation, and electrical insulation. Some common forms include silicone oil, grease, rubber, resin, and caulk.
Silicone is often confused with one of its constituent elements, silicon, but they are distinct substances. Silicon is a pure chemical element, a metalloid, which forms a dark-grey semiconducting crystalline solid. In its crystalline form it is used to make integrated circuits ("electronic chips") and solar cells. In contrast, silicone is formed by the polymerization of the siloxane molecule, which itself is made up of a variable combination of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and silicon atoms. Depending on the chemical makeup and polymer structure of a particular silicone product, it can possess a variety of physical properties, ranging from an oily liquid to a rubbery resin.
Organosilicon chemistry in the context of Siloxane
In organosilicon chemistry, a siloxane is an organic compound containing a functional group of two silicon atoms bound to an oxygen atom: Si−O−Si. The parent siloxanes include the oligomeric and polymeric hydrides with the formulae H[OSiH2]nOH and [OSiH2]n. Siloxanes also include branched compounds, the defining feature of which is that each pair of silicon centres is separated by one oxygen atom. The siloxane functional group forms the backbone of silicones [−R2Si−O−SiR2−]n, the premier example of which is polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The functional group R3SiO− (where the three Rs may be different) is called siloxy. Siloxanes are manmade and have many commercial and industrial applications because of the compounds’ hydrophobicity, low thermal conductivity, and high flexibility.
Organosilicon chemistry in the context of Silanes
In organosilicon chemistry, silanes are a diverse class of charge-neutral organic compounds with the general formula SiR4. The R substituents can be any combination of organic or inorganic groups. Most silanes contain Si-C bonds, and are discussed under organosilicon compounds. Some contain Si-H bonds and are discussed under hydrosilanes.