Which one of the following compounds is used for the synthesis of silicones?
SiCl₄
(CH₃)₂Si(OH)₂
SiO₂
Na₄SiO₄
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UPSC Geoscientist – 2023
Silicones are polymeric organosilicon compounds. They are typically synthesized by the hydrolysis of alkyl or aryl substituted chlorosilanes, such as R₂SiCl₂. The hydrolysis of (CH₃)₂SiCl₂ yields (CH₃)₂Si(OH)₂, which is a silanol. These silanol monomers then undergo condensation polymerization by eliminating water molecules between hydroxyl groups, forming Si-O-Si linkages, which constitute the backbone of silicones.