Hacker News new | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submit
YarickR2 | on: Aromatic 5-silicon rings synthesized at last
So, we have a chance to reduce our usage of volatile hydrocarbons. Silicon-based chemicals should not burn as easily as CH-based ones.
gus_massa | parent | next
No, it's a super weird molecule that is big, expensive to make and probably form a solid. It can not replace solvents like benzene.

The weird structure of the electrons in the silicon cycle may be useful as a catalyst(or not, it's too early to be sure). Imagine it is like the Platinum in the car exhaust, not the solvent in the paint remover.

adrian_b | parent
This particular silicon compound is unlikely to help much in that direction.

On the other hand, silicone resins and elastomers are already in widespread use in applications where resistance to high temperatures or burning is required (silicone =/= silicon, the former coming from silic-on + ket-one, a name based on a wrong hypothesis).

However, their mechanical resistance is usually modest, so if that is important they must be used either in combinations with other materials or reinforced, e.g. with glass fiber.

They are also more expensive than hydrocarbon-based plastics, so they are typically used only where strictly necessary.