Silicon Tetrachloride

Silicon Tetrachloride (SiCl₄, CAS 10026-04-7) is a colorless to pale-yellow fuming liquid that reacts violently with moisture, releasing dense white fumes of hydrogen chloride. It boils at 57.65 °C and is freely soluble in anhydrous organic solvents such as benzene, chloroform, and carbon tetrachloride. As a key silicon source, SiCl₄ is widely used in the production of optical fiber preforms, semiconductor-grade silicon dioxide, polysilicon, and organosilicon monomers. It is also employed in CVD processes for SiO₂ and Si₃N₄ thin films, as well as in the manufacture of fumed silica and silane coupling agents. Classified as a corrosive substance (UN 1818, Class 8, PG II); must be handled under dry nitrogen protection, strictly isolated from water, alcohols, and bases.