p Block Elements
8.0 Properties of Silicon
8.0 Properties of Silicon
Silicon is mostly present as silicates in Earth crust.
It is less electronegative than carbon but possess almost same electronegative values as rest of the family.
It can extend its covalency from four to six due to availability of vacant $d$-orbital.
Catenation property of silicon is poor than that of carbon due to less $Si-Si$ bond dissociation energy than $C-C$ bond dissociation energy.
Following are the some reactions of silicon:
- $Si + 2{F_2}\mathop \to \limits^{{{25}^ \circ }C} Si{F_4}$
- Silicon dissolves in hot concentrated alkalies to form silicates. $$Si + 2KOH + {H_2}O \to {K_2}Si{O_3} + 2{H_2}$$
- Silicon can act as an oxidising agent. $$Si + 2Mg\mathop \to \limits^\Delta M{g_2}Si$$
- $Si + {O_2}\mathop \to \limits^{{{900}^ \circ }C} Si{O_2}$
