Silane is produced from silicon using a two-step process. First, silicon is ground into a powder and then reacted with hydrochloric acid at 300°C. The result is then boiled with a catalyst (such as aluminum chloride, for example). This reaction produces Silane.

At normal temperature and pressure, Silane is a colorless gas. It is a pyrophoric gas, which means that it undergoes spontaneous combustion in air. Above 420°C, Silane breaks down into silicon and Hydrogen. In electronics, it is often used as an active gas enabling silicon depositions, and for solar panels manufacturing.

Discover the various applications of Silane

More about this gas: its physical-chemical processes