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Silane
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<p>Silane (Silicane) is an <a href="/facts/Inorganic_compound/TfFfzxSz">inorganic compound</a> with <a href="/facts/Chemical_formula/hghUtthl">chemical formula</a> SiH4. It is a colorless, <a href="/facts/Pyrophoric/1b8Sl2AJ">pyrophoric</a> <a href="/facts/Gas/hVVAoodV">gas</a> with a sharp, repulsive, <a href="/facts/Pungent/rKbfU6EX">pungent</a> smell, somewhat similar to that of <a href="/facts/Acetic_acid/uyBKA2Pd">acetic acid</a>. Silane is of practical interest as a precursor to elemental <a href="/facts/Silicon/cgWx0hdr">silicon</a>. Silanes with <a href="/facts/Alkyl_group/vmEk8X4v">alkyl groups</a> are effective water repellents for mineral surfaces such as concrete and masonry. Silanes with both <a href="/facts/Organic_compound/gqCNaN45">organic</a> and <a href="/facts/Inorganic_compound/TfFfzxSz">inorganic</a> attachments are used as coupling agents. They are commonly used to apply coatings to surfaces or as an adhesion promoter. </p>