Overview

The term polysiloxane (pol-ee-sill-OK-sane) refers to a class of compounds whose molecules consist of a siliconoxygen backbone (-Si-O-Si-O-Si-O-Si)_n arranged either in a linear or cyclic (ring) pattern. Each silicon in the chain has two additional oxygen atoms attached to it. In many cases, the polysiloxanes also have one or more alkyl groups attached to the main chain replacing one or more of the oxygens. An alkyl group is an alkane, a saturated hydrocarbon, lacking one hydrogen atom. Examples of alkyl groups are the methyl (-CH₃) and ethyl (-CH₂CH₃) groups. In one common type of siloxane, all of the oxygens that are not a part of the backbone of the chain are replaced by methyl groups. Polysiloxanes that contain alkyl groups are known as organosiloxanes or, more commonly, silicones.

Key Facts

Her Names:

Siloxane; organosiloxane; silicone

Formula:

Varies

Elements:

Varies: Silicon (always), oxygen (always), carbon (almost...