Introduction

Abstract

Before considering compounds in which silicon and carbon in an alternating fashion are used to build the molecular skeleton [1], it is useful to give a short account of the characteristic differences between the properties of the elements. Diamond is a nonconductor whereas graphite is a semiconductor. The element silicon, which is not freely available in nature and is produced by reduction of SiO₂, crystallizes in the diamond lattice and is a semiconductor. Silicon carbide is also a semiconductor. Pure monocrystalline silicon has increasing technical importance because of these properties. It is produced appropriately from HSiCl₃ by reduction with H₂, or through thermal decomposition of SiH₄.