Methods of selectively synthesizing n-tetrasilane are disclosed. N-tetrasilane is prepared by catalysis of silane (SiH.sub.4), disilane (Si.sub.2H.sub.6), trisilane (Si.sub.3H.sub.8), or mixtures thereof. More particularly, the disclosed synthesis methods tune and optimize the n-tetrasilane:i-tetrasilane isomer ratio. The isomer ratio may be optimized by selection of process parameters, such as temperature and the relative amount of starting compounds, as well as selection of proper catalyst. The disclosed synthesis methods allow facile preparation of n-tetrasilane.

A method prepares hydridosilane oligomers, where the obtainable hydridosilane oligomers are useful. A method can also be used for preparing coating compositions and for preparing a silicon-containing layer.

A method prepares hydridosilane oligomers, where the obtainable hydridosilane oligomers are useful. A method can also be used for preparing coating compositions and for preparing a silicon-containing layer.

A method of making neopentasilane, the method comprising: contacting perchloroneopentasilane with a reductive effective amount of an alkali metal aluminum hydride in an alkylaluminum compound of formula R.sub.xAlCl.sub.3-x, where R is alkyl having from at least 5 carbon atoms, x is an integer from 1 to 3, and the alkylaluminum compound has a boiling point of at least 250° C., at conditions sufficient to reduce the perchloroneopentasilane, to form a reaction product mixture comprising neopentasilane, and separating the neopentasilane from the product mixture to form a neopentasilane isolate.

A method of making neopentasilane, the method comprising: contacting perchloroneopentasilane with a reductive effective amount of an alkali metal aluminum hydride in an alkylaluminum compound of formula R.sub.xAlCl.sub.3-x, where R is alkyl having from at least 5 carbon atoms, x is an integer from 1 to 3, and the alkylaluminum compound has a boiling point of at least 250° C., at conditions sufficient to reduce the perchloroneopentasilane, to form a reaction product mixture comprising neopentasilane, and separating the neopentasilane from the product mixture to form a neopentasilane isolate.

A compound that is 2,2,4,4-tetrasilylpentasilane, chemical compositions comprising same, methods of making and purifying 2,2,4,4-tetrasilylpentasilane, the purified 2,2,4,4-tetrasilylpentasilane prepared thereby, and methods of forming silicon-containing materials using 2,2,4,4-tetrasilylpentasilane as a precursor.

A compound that is 2,2,4,4-tetrasilylpentasilane, chemical compositions comprising same, methods of making and purifying 2,2,4,4-tetrasilylpentasilane, the purified 2,2,4,4-tetrasilylpentasilane prepared thereby, and methods of forming silicon-containing materials using 2,2,4,4-tetrasilylpentasilane as a precursor.

Industrial-scale production of diiodosilane through reaction between phenylsilane and iodine is safely and efficiently performed. Provided is a diiodosilane producing method wherein reaction is started between phenylsilane and iodine at a low temperature, the method including at least the step of, after dropping and mixing step finishes, pumping a reaction solution little by little continuously while raising a temperature thereof.

Industrial-scale production of diiodosilane through reaction between phenylsilane and iodine is safely and efficiently performed. Provided is a diiodosilane producing method wherein reaction is started between phenylsilane and iodine at a low temperature, the method including at least the step of, after dropping and mixing step finishes, pumping a reaction solution little by little continuously while raising a temperature thereof.

Synthesis of silanes with more than three silicon atoms are disclosed (i.e., (Si.sub.nH.sub.(2n+2) with n=4-100). More particularly, the disclosed synthesis methods tune and optimize the isomer ratio by selection of process parameters such as temperature, residence time, and the relative amount of starting compounds, as well as selection of proper catalyst. The disclosed synthesis methods allow facile preparation of silanes containing more than three silicon atoms and particularly, the silanes containing preferably one major isomer. The pure isomers and isomer enriched mixtures are prepared by catalytic transformation of silane (SiH.sub.4), disilane (Si.sub.2H.sub.6), trisilane (Si.sub.3H.sub.8), and mixtures thereof.