Silicone oils (polymerized siloxanes) are silicon analogues of carbon based organic compounds, and can form (relatively) long and complex molecules based on silicon rather than carbon. Chains are formed of alternating silicon-oxygen atoms (...Si-O-Si-O-Si...) or siloxane, rather than carbon atoms (...C-C-C-C...). Other species attach to the tetravalent silicon atoms (or the tetravalent carbon atoms in the case of carbon based chemistry), not to the divalent oxygen atoms which are fully committed to forming the siloxane chain. Polymer is the term used to describe large molecules consisting of repeating structural units, or monomers, connected by covalent chemical bonds. ... Siloxanes are a class of both organic and inorganic chemical compounds which consist entirely of silicon, oxygen, and an alkyl group. ... General Name, Symbol, Number silicon, Si, 14 Chemical series metalloids Group, Period, Block 14, 3, p Appearance as coarse powder, dark gray with bluish tinge Atomic mass 28. ... General Name, Symbol, Number carbon, C, 6 Chemical series nonmetals Group, Period, Block 14, 2, p Appearance black (graphite) colorless (diamond) Atomic mass 12. ... An organic compound is any of a large class of chemical compounds whose molecules contain carbon, with exception of carbides, carbonates and carbon oxides. ... General Name, Symbol, Number oxygen, O, 8 Chemical series Nonmetals, chalcogens Group, Period, Block 16, 2, p Appearance colorless (gas) very pale blue (liquid) Atomic mass 15. ... Siloxanes are a class of both organic and inorganic chemical compounds which consist entirely of silicon, oxygen, and an alkyl group. ... In chemistry, a tetravalent atom in a molecule has 4 electrons available for chemical bonding in its outer valence shell. ... In chemistry, divalent anions are atoms or radicals with 2 additional electrons when compared to their elemental state (that is, with 2 more electrons than protons); for instance, S-- is the sulfide anion. ... Siloxanes are a class of both organic and inorganic chemical compounds which consist entirely of silicon, oxygen, and an alkyl group. ...

A typical example is polydimethylsiloxane, where two methyl groups attach to each silicon atom to form (H₃C)[SiO(CH₃)₂]_nSi(CH₃). The carbon analogue would be an alkane, e.g. dimethylpropane C₅H₁₂ or (H₃C)[C(CH₃)₂](CH₃) Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is the most widely used silicon-based organic polymer, and is particularly known for its unusual rheological (or flow) properties. ... In chemistry a methyl-group is a hydrophobic Alkyl functional group which is derived from methane (CH4). ... Chemical structure of methane, the simplest alkane Alkanes are chemical compounds that consists only of the elements carbon (C) and hydrogen (H) (i. ...

Silicone could be a basis for silicon-based organic life, as opposed to artificial life based on silicon as used in computers. But their more prosaic, primary use is as lubricants or hydraulic fluids. They are also excellent insulators and, unlike their carbon analogues, are non flammable. Alternative biochemistry collectively refers to an assortment of astrobiology theories and hypotheses in which life can be based on biochemical systems other than systems based upon organic chemistry, which is used by currently known forms of life. ... The tower of a personal computer. ... A lubricant (colloquially, lube) is a substance introduced between two moving surfaces to reduce the friction and wear between them. ... Table of Hydraulics and Hydrostatics, from the 1728 Cyclopaedia. ... Insulators are materials which prevent the flow of heat (thermal insulators) or electric charge (electrical insulators). ... Flammable or Flammability refers to the ease at which a substance will ignite, causing fire or combustion. ...

See Also

• Silicone