Disilane is a poisonous silicon-hydrogen compound, existing as a gas at room temperature and pressure. It is analogous to ethane, though much more reactive than ethane, due to the larger size of the silicon atom and the weaker Si-Si bonding. Traces are formed during the hydrolysis of magnesium silicide, which produces mainly silane, siloxanes, and polysiloxanes.[1] The presence of traces of disilane is responsible for the spontaneous flammability of silane produced this way, as is diphosphine for phosphine.
Uses
Disilane is occasionally used as a source of hydrogen during reactions.[2] It is also utilized in the production of silicon wafers[3].