1,2-Bis(Triethoxysilyl)Ethane, often used in silicone chemistry and advanced materials, stands as a unique bifunctional silane. You notice its molecular formula C14H34O6Si2 and its CAS number 16068-37-4. At a glance, the name signals two triethoxysilyl groups bridged by an ethane. This two-point attachment offers more stability to networks in hybrid materials. Molecular structure tells a lot: ethane keeps the silicon atoms just far enough apart, letting each triethoxysilyl end do its job in crosslinking or binding to surfaces. That approach creates stronger coatings or modifies surfaces for other chemical attachment.
Standing in a lab, you spot 1,2-Bis(Triethoxysilyl)Ethane as a clear, colorless to slightly yellowish liquid. Its density falls near 1.01–1.03 g/cm³ at 25°C, definitely lighter than water but still easy to pour and measure with standard glassware. Handling this chemical means keeping it in sealed containers, away from moisture, since those ethoxy groups hydrolyze quickly. Sometimes suppliers offer it as a liquid, but you may see reports of using crystals or flakes when it changes after some storage or exposure. Its boiling point reaches 320°C—pretty high for a silane—so volatility is not an issue under normal processes.
Product safety matters. Direct contact with skin and eyes causes irritation. Reading the safety data sheet reminds you that inhalation risk exists if the liquid volatilizes, so basic lab ventilation and gloves remain a must. Classified under HS Code 2931.90, it falls under organosilicon compounds that regularly appear on shipping manifests for raw materials. Some health hazard statements classify it as harmful; repeated exposure means keeping up with safety goggles and after-work cleanup. It’s not acutely toxic, but respect is still needed with all chemicals, especially because hydrolysis releases ethanol vapor.
Each triethoxysilyl arm, after hydrolysis, forms silanol groups ready to condense with other silanols or inorganic oxides. Those bonds create durable networks, popular in sol–gel processes. This dual reactivity, compared to simpler silanes, opens doors for building organic–inorganic hybrids, coupling agents for glass fiber composites, or modifying silica surfaces. It’s common to see this compound bridging silica nanoparticles or building up coatings that resist weather or chemical exposure.
Most commercial grades offer a purity above 97%. Raw material quality determines final application results—trace water or acidic impurities can trigger premature hydrolysis or unpredictable gelation. Custom grades arrive in containers sized for research all the way up to drums for large-scale manufacture. Beware of prolonged storage, as water vapor in air might cloud material, indicating partial hydrolysis. Shipment and storage require tight seals but not refrigeration, since the compound remains stable at room temperature for months if unopened.
With a molecular weight of almost 338.6 g/mol, 1,2-Bis(Triethoxysilyl)Ethane falls in the range suitable for most standard analytical instruments, whether infrared or NMR spectroscopy. Its siloxane backbone, created after condensation, acts as a flexible yet durable link in hybrid polymers and coatings. Chemically, the compound interacts freely with mineral fillers, silicas, or reinforced plastics, offering a chemical bridge between organic resins and mineral surfaces.
Companies using this material source it mainly as a raw input for surface modification, custom adhesives, or advanced composites. Supply chain reliability gains importance as industrial volumes rise. International trade places it in the HS Code 2931.90 group, marking it as a specialty chemical, regulated but widely shipped across borders.
Quality consistency rises to the top of concerns for manufacturers. Batch testing for water content and purity, along with proper packaging, addresses most variability in downstream synthesis. Worker safety stays a key point, driving more training in chemical hygiene, storage, and first-aid response for accidental contact or inhalation. Environmentally, these chemicals do not bioaccumulate, but proper disposal of hydrolyzed remains protects groundwater. For large-scale projects, designing closed handling loops reduces emissions and exposure, ensuring both higher yields and safer workplaces.
Lab workers appreciate that the liquid form pours easily and measures well, requiring only standard volumetric or gravimetric techniques. Density allows easy conversion between liters and kilograms, smoothing out calculations for scale-ups in pilot or industrial plants. Solid forms, though less common, require heating or mixing to redissolve for most uses, but the core reactivity remains unchanged.
My time at the bench proved that a reliable organosilane gets more done than most new materials promise. The flexibility 1,2-Bis(Triethoxysilyl)Ethane brings lets product developers create durable, high-performance coatings or fill the gap between resins and reinforcing fillers. Every day, the strength of a finished composite, the resistance of a sealant, or the weather durability of outdoor materials owes something to small molecules doing big jobs, quietly, in the background.
