What is "disilane"

n. 1 (context inorganic compound English) The gaseous hydride of silicon SiH₃-SiH₃, the silicon analog of ethane 2 (context organic chemistry English) Any organic derivative of this compound 3 (context chemistry English) a molecule with a silicon-silicon single bond, or silicon analog of alkanes

Disilane is a chemical compound with chemical formula SiH that was identified in 1902 by Henri Moissan and Samuel Smiles (1877–1953). Moissan and Smiles reported disilane as being among the products formed by the action of dilute acids on metal silicides. Although these reactions had been previously investigated by Friedrich Woehler and Heinrich Buff between 1857 and 1858, Moissan and Smiles were the first to explicitly identify disilane. They referred to disilane as silicoethane. Higher members of the homologous series SiH formed in these reactions were subsequently identified by Carl Somiesky (sometimes spelled "Karl Somieski") and Alfred Stock.

At standard temperature and pressure, disilane is a colourless, acrid gas. Disilane and ethane have similar structures, although disilane is much more reactive. Other compounds of the general formula SiX (X = hydride, halide, alkyl, aryl, and mixtures of these groups) are called disilanes.