The reaction of magnesium silicide with 25% hydrochloric acid produces 40% monosilane, 30% disilane, 15% trisilane, 10% tetrasilane and 5% higher silanes.

In addition, higher silanes can also be obtained by discharges monosilane:[3] Tetrasilane is a colourless, pyrophoric liquid that has a disgusting odour.

[1] It is even more unstable than trisilane, slowly decomposing at room temperature, releasing hydrogen and forming shorter chain silanes.

[5] Photochemical disproportionation of tetrasilane will produce 3-silylpentasilane and disilane.

[6] With the presence of aluminium chloride, heating tetrasilane in xylene will allow isomerization to isotetrasilane.