Binary silicon-hydrogen compounds

The members of the series (in terms of number of silicon atoms) follow: Silanes are named by adding the suffix -silane to the appropriate numerical multiplier prefix.

When hydrogen in a linear polysilene polysilicon hydride is replaced with alkyl or aryl side-groups, the term polysilane is used.

[7] The Schlesinger process is used to prepare silanes by the reaction of perchlorosilanes with lithium aluminium hydride.

The lighter liquid silanes are highly flammable; this risk increases with the length of the silicon chain.

Considerations for detection/risk control: The IUPAC nomenclature (systematic way of naming compounds) for silanes is based on identifying hydrosilicon chains.

Unbranched, saturated hydrosilicon chains are named systematically with a Greek numerical prefix denoting the number of silicons and the suffix "-silane".

The key steps in the naming of more complicated branched silanes are as follows: The nomenclature parallels that of alkyl radicals.