Exhibition chemistry

Pyrophoric silanes

By 2021-03-09T05:30:00

A photo of flames in a glass beaker

Source: © Declan Fleming

Use the impressive reaction of pyrophoric silanes in air to explore a range of chemistry topics with your students

In this demonstration, Declan Fleming reacts a mixture of magnesium powder and silica with hydrochloric acid, creating bubbles of gas which spontaneously combust on contact with air. This creation and pyrophoric reaction of the silanes in air is an excellent way to explore a range of chemistry topics including redox and acid-base reactions, combustion, kinetics, and structure and bonding in macromolecular as well as simple covalent substances.

Learn how to do the experiment yourself in this article and video, and download the accompanying technician notes.

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