Why is H4SiO4 unstable in hydrolysis reactions?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Saitama
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the instability of H4SiO4 during hydrolysis reactions, specifically following the hydrolysis of SiCl4. When SiCl4 reacts with water, it produces H4SiO4 and HCl. However, H4SiO4 is unstable and subsequently decomposes into H2SiO3 and water. The instability is attributed to the compound's structure and the presence of vacant d-orbitals in silicon, which affects its reactivity and stability in aqueous environments.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of hydrolysis reactions
  • Knowledge of silicon chemistry and its compounds
  • Familiarity with coordination chemistry and d-orbitals
  • Basic principles of acid-base reactions
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the hydrolysis of silicon tetrachloride (SiCl4)
  • Study the properties and reactions of H2SiO3
  • Explore the role of d-orbitals in chemical reactivity
  • Investigate the stability of silicates in aqueous solutions
USEFUL FOR

Chemistry students, researchers in inorganic chemistry, and professionals studying silicon compounds and their reactivity in hydrolysis reactions.

Saitama
Messages
4,244
Reaction score
93
I was studying about the hydrolysis and i saw an example in my book showing the hydrolysis of the compounds having vacant d-orbitals. In the example, hydrolysis of SiCl4 is shown.

SiCl4 is attacked by water molecules and produce H4SiO4 and 4HCl. Then it is written that H4SiO4 is unstable and forms H2SiO3 and H2O. Can somebody explain me why H4SiO4 is unstable?

Any help is much appreciated. Thanks! :smile:
 
Last edited:
Chemistry news on Phys.org
Are you sure about the H2SiO4 formula?
 
Borek said:
Are you sure about the H2SiO4 formula?

I am sorry Borek, i should have written H4SiO4. I was in a little hurry when i posted the question, sorry about that.

Can you help me now?
 

Similar threads

Haloalkane hydrolysis - stoichiometric vs rate equation
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
Are All Polymers Susceptible to Hydrolysis?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
15K
How Does Adding Water Affect the Equilibrium in the BiOCl Dissolution Reaction?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Strong Acid Reactions: Explaining HCl + H2O → Cl- + H3O+
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
5K
How Can the Rate of One Reactant Reveal the Whole Reaction in Chemical Kinetics?
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
(at the most fundamental level) why does energy release upon chemical reactions?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
8K
Some Basic Line Spectrum and Chemistry Questions I Have
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
4K
Still water droplet evaporation rate (help using Maxwell's formula please)
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Thoughts on Excerpt from My Chem Prof's Textbook?
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
4K
Autocatalytic reaction and rate of reaction
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
10K