N-Hexadecylmethyldimethoxysilane didn’t spring up overnight; it saw roots back in the surge of organosilicon chemistry during the mid-1900s, fueled by curiosity around surface coatings that resist moisture and grime. Researchers soon figured out that the right alkyl chain attached to silicon could keep water at bay. Chemists who spent their evenings testing and documenting oddities in the lab managed to piece together a family of silanes, each with different properties. N-Hexadecylmethyldimethoxysilane stuck out: its lengthy C16 tail proved perfect for repelling water, oils, and offering a low-energy surface. Today, you can trace its journey from inventive curiosity to essential workhorse in coatings, electronics, and textiles, mapping a path through decades of demand for cleaner, longer-lasting, weatherproof surfaces.
This chemical delivers a lot more than a tongue-twisting name. You’ll recognize it by its pale, oily liquid form and a faint, sweet odor common to silanes. Scientists and product formulators use it to lay down those invisible barriers that keep tablets, solar panels, fabrics, and concrete dry, clean, and stable. A single molecule achieves this through its balance of hydrophobic alkyl chain and reactive silane group, sticking tight to glass, metal, and even stone. Application routines feel straightforward—dilute, spread, cure—turning almost any surface into something stubbornly hard to wet.
A look at its properties makes clear why it stands out. N-Hexadecylmethyldimethoxysilane’s C16 alkyl group gives strong hydrophobicity, meaning it repels water with almost defiant energy. Its molecular weight hovers near 346.6 g/mol, and its density averages about 0.85 g/cm³ at room temperature. It doesn’t boil or burn easily, which makes industrial storage simpler than some quirkier silanes. Two methoxy groups anchor the molecule’s reactive end, which hydrolyze under the right conditions, binding covalently to surfaces. Those physical quirks save equipment from corroding and surfaces from soaking.
Each barrel or ampule comes tagged with details that professionals look for: molecular formula (C19H42O2Si), chemical purity—often above 97%—and handling guidance built for industrial use. The flash point rests above 100°C, which eases concerns about storage in normal warehouse conditions. Regulatory labels point out flammability, health risks if swallowed, and correct PPE recommendations. Many leading vendors include lot-specific COAs that allow downstream users to trace back quality or performance issues, which is crucial as this molecule finds its way into delicate electronics or outdoor builds.
Synthesis begins in the reaction vessel, where hexadecyltrimethylsilane reacts with methyltrichlorosilane, usually in the presence of anhydrous ether or toluene. This mixture gets fed methanol, producing N-Hexadecylmethyldimethoxysilane through methanolysis. Careful control of temperature and environment, especially exclusion of water, keeps unwanted hydrolysis low. Modern labs employ both batch and continuous systems—demand and set-up drive that decision. Purification depends on fractional distillation and drying, since moisture causes troublesome polymerization.
The backbone remains versatile: in air, the methoxy groups hydrolyze and form silanols, which then condense to link up with surfaces or other silanes. Surface chemists exploit this trick to build monolayers or thicker coatings on glass, quartz, or metals. The long alkyl chain packs densely, discouraging liquids from sticking around. Reactive ends also couple with dyes, catalysts, or even antimicrobial agents to expand its reach. This opens doors to modifying everything from personal electronics to high-performance filters.
Pick up a safety data sheet, you might find it listed as “Hexadecyl(methyl)dimethoxysilane,” “n-Cetylmethyldimethoxysilane,” or “Silane, hexadecylmethyldimethoxy-.” Chemical distributors brand it under inventory codes or blend names, but the hexadecyl core always shows up. In the research community, the shorthand “C16 silane” quickly signals its chain length and character.
Labs and factories handling this silane enforce direct, practical rules: wear goggles, gloves, and lab coats. Engineers set up local ventilation systems since inhalation causes irritation, and the vapors can dull focus with extended exposure. Emergency eye-wash stations stay nearby, and material compatibility checks prevent vats or pipes from clogging with gelled polymer. Training drills keep handling strict—years of safety reporting prove it saves both time and health on the job.
Ask anyone steering a scale-up batch or running a surface lab: few chemicals see such broad action. In electronics, people treat glass plates and circuit boards so fingerprints and moisture don’t ruin displays. Textiles wind up gain water-repellent finishes that keep jackets and tents dry for seasons. Even concrete undergoes silanization to defend bridges and buildings against freeze-thaw cycles. Art conservators pick it up for water barriers, while solar panel makers swear by its dust-shedding performance.
Not much stays static in this field. Research teams push for faster curing processes and more controlled grafting, mixing this silane with nanomaterials or photoactive agents. Universities publish on forming superhydrophobic and oleophobic surfaces through simple post-treatment with N-Hexadecylmethyldimethoxysilane. A focus lands squarely on extending the lifespan of treated products and finding new medical and filtration uses. Collaborations bridge chemical manufacturers with coating developers, picking at every efficiency and margin.
Toxicologists don’t slack. Studies so far point toward low acute toxicity, but inhalation and long exposure can irritate the eyes, skin, or lungs. Chronic exposure tests continue, especially for workers in high-volume plants. Most data come from animal models and extended cell culture research, with regulatory reviews demanded before new applications launch—especially for coatings that touch skin or food. Emphasis stays on air quality monitoring and personal safety protocols over speculation.
Manufacturing continues rushing toward greener, safer chemistries—N-Hexadecylmethyldimethoxysilane evolves alongside. Research efforts press for lower VOC content and bio-based synthesis. People working in water and oil separation aim at optimized membranes. Demand for durable, easy-clean coatings rises with every new gadget and infrastructure project. I see a clear track where development intersects with stricter regulation and tougher performance standards, and I suspect the best innovations are yet to hit the market floor.
N-Hexadecylmethyldimethoxysilane jumps out of technical sheets in coatings, nanomaterials, and even some medical research. It sounds like pure jargon, but peel back the label, and you get a story of how chemists try to make surfaces act in new ways. The first time I came across this molecule, I was helping a colleague deal with glassware that kept wreaking havoc on results because water simply wouldn't stay put. Few things frustrate an experiment like puddles where you need a clean, controlled line.
One big use for N-Hexadecylmethyldimethoxysilane comes from its ability to transform glass or silica. People who work with optics or want to stop glass from fogging see this a lot. After treatment, water just beads and rolls right off. This matters: If someone builds a sensor or a chip meant to analyze one type of molecule, letting random moisture settle on top can throw the whole process out the window.
This compound earns trust because a layer only a few atoms thick flips a "sticky" glass surface into something more like rain on a duck's back. The science is simple: it latches onto the glass, then its long hydrocarbon tail points outward like bristles. Those tails make it hard for water or even oils to grab on.
Research labs exploring nanoparticles often reach for this silane. N-Hexadecylmethyldimethoxysilane covers tiny glass or silica beads, so they don't clump. Scientists who study new catalysts or want to build sensor platforms use it to build layers that either attract or push away the right molecules.
Take sunscreen or drug delivery: Some teams want oil to mix in with water-based gels. Coating mineral particles with this chemical helps them disperse far more smoothly. In my own work with nanoparticle suspensions, a step with this silane cut hours off a mixing process. Instead of fighting with stubborn lumps, the solution went cloudy evenly—a welcome change.
N-Hexadecylmethyldimethoxysilane isn’t just for scientists. Anti-graffiti coatings on modern windows, self-cleaning surfaces, slick coatings in pipelines, and even some food packaging lines have drawn on the same surface control. Walk through a building covered in glass with rain beading off each pane, and it's a good bet some kind of silane did the heavy lifting.
Some caution is needed, though. Working with these compounds can mean tough solvents and fumes, and as the European Chemicals Agency outlines, proper ventilation and gloves are essential. Research shows silanes like this one break down on sunlit surfaces over time, so manufacturers watch for both environmental drift and possible byproducts. While safer than some old-school coatings that used harsh fluorocarbons, smart regulation keeps future risks in check.
Silanes like N-Hexadecylmethyldimethoxysilane demonstrate how surface chemistry changes daily life. With the push for greener materials and tighter safety controls, some researchers look into plant-derived silanes or ways to recycle used coatings rather than simply washing them down drains. More conversations between material suppliers and factories could steer things better, too. Sharing findings about both hazards and breakthroughs supports safer labs and cleaner industry. The mix of chemistry and careful oversight gives hope that the best uses of this compound will last.
N-Hexadecylmethyldimethoxysilane, or HDMDMS, isn’t a chemical you trip over every day unless you work in the surface treatment or coatings world. In my years dabbling with specialized chemicals, this one stands out for its slick behavior in products that call for water repellency and anti-sticking surfaces.
In the lab, HDMDMS shows up as a clear, colorless liquid. A sniff test—never recommended without proper gear—gives away a slight, solvent-like scent. Its molecular weight, at about 344 grams per mole, seems hefty for a silane, but the “hexadecyl” part hints at a long tail on its structure. That tail is a 16-carbon hydrophobic chain, which gives the liquid a smooth, oily feel and points to its low solubility in water.
Pouring it out, you notice its viscosity—slicker than water but not as thick as syrup. It evaporates slower than short-chain silanes; that’s the long alkyl chain speaking again. At room temperature, it won’t turn to vapor in a flash. Density lines up around 0.85–0.9 grams per cubic centimeter, so it happily floats above water in a mixing tank.
Few people mention flash point when talking about surface chemicals, but safety requires knowing that HDMDMS sits above 90°C. So flammable, but not outrageously so.
HDMDMS carries a silicon atom at its core, bonded to one methyl group, two methoxy (–OCH3) groups, and the long alkyl tail. Those methoxy groups react with water, breaking off as methanol, while the rest latches onto glass, metal oxides, or ceramics. You end up with a surface that shrugs off water and oils. Tough coating jobs in electronics, textiles, or construction lean on this conversion.
Silicon-oxygen bonds formed in these reactions offer stability, resisting breakdown under UV and moderate heat. My experience shows surfaces treated with HDMDMS stay water-repellent for ages, even when left outside. Lab tests confirm that hydrophobic angles, measured by how water beads, reach upwards of 115°. That’s impressive—rain slides off easily, and so does grime.
In chemical terms, HDMDMS doesn’t pick fights with most nonpolar solvents. It dissolves readily in things like hexane, toluene, or petroleum ether, so engineers can spray or dip-coat surfaces with little fuss. Water, on the other hand, won’t dissolve it, so direct aqueous applications don’t cut it—a fact that guides processes and packaging.
The long alkyl chain in HDMDMS sets it apart from short-chain silanes. That long tail gives the treated surface low surface energy, which limits adhesion. In construction, I’ve seen it protect stone, tiles, and grout from soaking up stains. Electronics folks often tap it to keep components dry and dirt-free. Textiles treated with it resist spills and even graffiti.
Long-chain silanes like HDMDMS give coatings more staying power than traditional waxes or sprays. They stand up to abrasion, heat, and repeated cleanings. That durability means less maintenance, which in turn cuts down on chemicals washing into groundwater—a plus for sustainability.
We need to think about safety and environmental impact. Methanol byproducts raise some flags in manufacturing. Proper ventilation, containment, and responsible disposal matter. Looking ahead, the trend leans toward developing similar silanes with reduced toxicity or using greener solvents in production.
My advice for anyone handling HDMDMS: treat it with respect, use protective gloves and eyewear, and keep workspaces well-ventilated. The chemical’s benefits to modern surfaces are clear, but so is the need for safe, responsible handling and ongoing research into eco-friendlier options that don’t compromise performance.
Working with chemicals like N-Hexadecylmethyldimethoxysilane can feel routine for anyone who has logged time in research labs or manufacturing spaces. Still, it’s easy to let routines breed complacency, and that’s where people get into trouble. This compound belongs to the organosilane family, which means flammable vapors and the potential for lung or skin irritation. I remember walking into a storeroom where careless storage once resulted in corroded shelves and a sticky, headache-inducing haze in the air. No one wants to repeat that.
N-Hexadecylmethyldimethoxysilane ought to stay in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated spot away from sunlight and heat sources. I’ve seen drums left in rooms that got much warmer than people realized, and the results were ruined material and a higher risk of vapor leaks. Keep these containers tightly closed so water and humid air don’t sneak in. Moisture triggers hydrolysis, which leads to unwanted byproducts and builds up pressure inside the container. Some people assume screwing on the cap gently is enough—don’t. I always double-check the seal, because a loose lid is an invitation for an accident.
Carelessness with safety gear stands out as the root of countless lab injuries. I remember a tech skipping gloves just once, and it took weeks for their skin to fully heal after a splash. N-Hexadecylmethyldimethoxysilane will cause trouble if it touches skin or finds its way into your lungs. Chemical goggles, sturdy gloves, and protective coats form that essential barrier. Properly fitted respirators or extraction hoods knock back exposure risks. I always keep a spill kit nearby; granulated absorbents grab the chemical fast if a beaker tips or a bottle leaks. Wasting minutes hunting for cleanup materials just piles on danger.
Storage cabinets built from chemical-resistant metal with explosion-proof vents serve a real purpose. The fire risk is anything but theoretical. Vapors from these silanes can ignite with static discharge or low sparks—just one more reason for regular checks of static grounding and fire-suppression systems. Thinking, “It probably won’t catch fire,” doesn’t hold up after you’ve handled the cleanup from a minor blaze. Always know where your emergency exits and extinguishers are. Nothing beats hands-on fire drill experience.
Every container I’ve ever stowed in a shared cabinet gets a durable, legible label including hazard pictograms and the date received. I teach new lab members to recognize the risks and understand how to get help. They know where the SDS binder lives and how to read it. Waste should never travel down a general drain. Solvent waste collection programs and designated disposal contractors handle these leftovers. I’ve watched people try to shortcut the system, but environmental regulators show no patience, and the fines can bite hard.
Sloppy habits trickle down fast. Creating a culture of safe storage and handling for N-Hexadecylmethyldimethoxysilane means refusing to cut corners or ignore small leaks and bad seals. Keeping up regular audits and encouraging reporting of safety issues helps everyone get home with their health and peace of mind intact. This isn’t about making the workplace feel sterile or uptight. It’s about respect—for your coworkers, your future self, and anyone who ever has to clean up after a spill gone wrong.
Surface treatments shape how materials hold up in tough environments. N-Hexadecylmethyldimethoxysilane (long name, big impact) builds water repellence and boosts chemical resistance. Applying it isn’t just about following a recipe—each step brings its own challenges and opportunities.
A clean, dry surface takes priority over any ambitions for fancy coatings. Dust, tiny oils, or leftover residues won’t play nice with this silane. I’ve learned that using solvents like isopropanol for surface wipes keeps things reliable. High-purity solvents pull away bits that the eye misses. Skipping this step? Results slide fast—from patchy coating to ruined batches. Fact: Silanes bond best where they can reach bare surface bonds. A contaminated base holds back that chemical handshake.
N-Hexadecylmethyldimethoxysilane reacts with moisture—sometimes even the humid air in a muggy shop. That means careful measuring and mixing becomes a must. Ethanol or isopropanol work as solvents, and I’ve always stuck to a typical 1-5% silane-to-solvent mix. No guessing, no overpouring. I help others in my lab double-check volumes for accuracy. Too strong, and hazing pops up on the treated surface; too weak, and the surface sheds the silane in days. Real-life testing lines up with research: precise ratios mean fewer headaches.
Application can go a few ways—dip, spray, or wipe on. I lean toward spraying for flat glass or ceramics because it cuts wasted product and takes less time. Dipping soaks complex parts head to toe, but it uses up more chemicals. Wiping fits small labs but needs a careful hand. No matter the route, even coverage makes or breaks the end result. Anyone who’s seen patchy hydrophobic spots understands the pain. Industry studies support hands-on experience here: uneven coatings aren’t just a cosmetic issue; they let water and chemicals sneak in.
After application, air-drying gives the silane a chance to bond. Touch-dry times run twenty minutes (in airy rooms around 20°C), but patience turns into payback during this stage. Pushing parts straight through to final testing means tossing out a load of work. For best results, a mild heat cure—think 100°C for half an hour—cements the bond, turning temporary adhesion into lasting performance. Consistently, this step has spelled the difference between products that pass quality checks and those that end up as rework.
Silane chemistry can bite back. Vapors sneak up, and splashes irritate the skin. Protective gear isn’t an afterthought: gloves, safety glasses, and solid ventilation. Spills happen; a quick mop and a well-vented area can keep them from becoming a health risk. Responsible teams check complaint logs and tweak training when incidents pile up, keeping people safe and product quality high.
By tying cleaning, mixing, coating, and curing into one solid process, silane treatments become both safer and more effective. Regular checks of solvent levels and equipment make sure surprises don't turn into lost revenue. Sharing experience and raising the quality bar moves labs and production floors ahead, one careful application at a time.
N-Hexadecylmethyldimethoxysilane often turns up in labs and factories where surfaces need to repel water or stick together better. Whether on glass, ceramics, or plastics, this silane brings some useful traits. The way it clings to materials attracts chemists who want to fine-tune surfaces for coatings, water barriers, or adhesives.
I’ve worked close to specialty chemicals in research before, and the habit of treating every new substance with respect sticks for a reason. This silane rarely appears outside industrial settings, so the average person at home won’t run across it. Workers and laboratory staff bear the bigger risks. Breathing in its dust or vapors can irritate the lungs or skin, and safety data sheets for similar silanes mention these problems. I always wore gloves and sought good ventilation just as a matter of course—not out of paranoia, but because skin reactions or headaches from inhalation sneak up easily with these chemicals.
There’s more to watch: some dimethoxysilanes release methanol as they break down. Methanol is toxic by inhalation or skin contact and especially dangerous if swallowed. Acute methanol poisoning can damage vision or even lead to death. When mixing or applying this material, engineering controls at plants and glove protocols in labs matter; skipping them magnifies the risk.
Nature isn’t immune. Chemicals like this don’t just vanish. If released into wastewater, they may hydrolyze and release methanol, harming aquatic life. Silane derivatives can also form persistent residues in soils and sediments. The point isn’t that this specific silane will poison the earth in a single spill—the trouble builds up with repeated mishandling or unchecked discharges. Responsible handling starts with industry: containment, capture systems, and thoughtful waste disposal. Stretches of unregulated dumping or leaky equipment have caused headaches with much less hazardous chemicals, so it helps to stay alert.
Regulators set exposure limits for hazardous solvents and require procedures for dangerous chemicals but not always for every silane. Where rules fall short, responsibility falls on companies and workers to fill the gap. Green chemistry alternatives have gained ground. Some labs look for shorter-chain silanes or water-based coatings that don’t spit out methanol or persistent pollutants. But not every application is ready for substitutes yet. Watching for emerging research means future decisions can lean toward safer choices, as new testing shines light on old unknowns.
Chemistry tends to walk a tightrope—chasing innovation without endangering health or the environment. That takes more than just new compounds. Real safety comes from knowing the risks, planning for them, and refusing to cut corners when it comes to people or places downstream. N-Hexadecylmethyldimethoxysilane may not make headlines, but careful handling today keeps its hazards out of tomorrow’s news.
My own time in the lab convinced me of the value in simple steps: clear labels, open windows, routine training, and a willingness to replace chemicals when science points to a better way. It’s tempting to chase performance at any price, but shared responsibility for health and the world outside pays bigger dividends than any shortcut.
| Names | |
| Preferred IUPAC name | N-hexadecyl(methyl)dimethoxysilane |
| Other names |
Hexadecyl(methyl)dimethoxysilane Dimethoxy(methyl)hexadecylsilane n-Hexadecylmethyldimethoxysilane Methyldimethoxyhexadecylsilane C16 Dimethoxymethylsilane |
| Pronunciation | /ɛn-hek.səˈdiː.sɪlˌmɛθ.əl.daɪˌmɛθ.ɒk.siˈsaɪ.leɪn/ |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS Number | 18765-38-3 |
| Beilstein Reference | 3656800 |
| ChEBI | CHEBI:87755 |
| ChEMBL | CHEMBL3726931 |
| ChemSpider | 14358547 |
| DrugBank | DB11237 |
| ECHA InfoCard | 100.141.741 |
| EC Number | 206-107-0 |
| Gmelin Reference | 85277 |
| KEGG | C19752 |
| MeSH | D016441 |
| PubChem CID | 86755 |
| RTECS number | MI8589000 |
| UNII | N760O13UD7U |
| UN number | UN1993 |
| Properties | |
| Chemical formula | C19H42O2Si |
| Molar mass | 315.57 g/mol |
| Appearance | Colorless to pale yellow transparent liquid |
| Odor | Odorless |
| Density | 0.84 g/mL at 25 °C |
| Solubility in water | insoluble |
| log P | 7.1 |
| Vapor pressure | <0.1 hPa (20 °C) |
| Magnetic susceptibility (χ) | N-Hexadecylmethyldimethoxysilane magnetic susceptibility (χ): -7.6e-6 cm³/mol |
| Refractive index (nD) | 1.443 |
| Viscosity | Viscosity: 3 mPa·s |
| Dipole moment | 1.05 D |
| Thermochemistry | |
| Std molar entropy (S⦵298) | 450.6 J·mol⁻¹·K⁻¹ |
| Std enthalpy of formation (ΔfH⦵298) | -537.2 kJ/mol |
| Std enthalpy of combustion (ΔcH⦵298) | -10054.7 kJ/mol |
| Pharmacology | |
| ATC code | No ATC code |
| Hazards | |
| GHS labelling | GHS02, GHS07 |
| Pictograms | GHS07 |
| Signal word | Warning |
| Hazard statements | H226, H315, H319, H411 |
| Precautionary statements | P261, P264, P271, P272, P273, P280, P302+P352, P305+P351+P338, P312, P333+P313, P362+P364, P391, P501 |
| NFPA 704 (fire diamond) | 1-1-0-⚪ |
| Flash point | 104 °C |
| Lethal dose or concentration | Lethal dose or concentration (LD50/LC50): LD50 (oral, rat): > 5,000 mg/kg |
| LD50 (median dose) | LD50 (median dose): >2,000 mg/kg (rat, oral) |
| NIOSH | GGZ15000AA |
| PEL (Permissible) | PEL: Not established |
| REL (Recommended) | 50 ppm |
| Related compounds | |
| Related compounds |
Trimethylhexadecylammonium chloride n-Hexadecyltrimethoxysilane Octadecyltrimethoxysilane n-Octylmethyldimethoxysilane Hexadecyltrichlorosilane |
