Q.Draw/describe the structure of silicon tetrachloride, $\text{SiCl}_4$. Write a balanced equation for its hydrolysis, and name the products formed.

[!TLDR] $\text{SiCl}_4$ is tetrahedral (Si sp3, 4 Cl at the corners); it hydrolyses in water to silicic acid and HCl. [!ANSWER] $\text{SiCl}_4$ is tetrahedral, $sp^3$ at silicon; $\text{SiCl}_4+4\text{H}_2\text{O}\rightar …

Silicon tetrachloride, $\text{SiCl}_4$, is a simple, symmetric tetrahedral molecule: the central silicon atom is $sp^3$ hybridised, and each of the four chlorine atoms sits at an equivalent corner of the tetrahedron around it, exactly analogous in shape to carbon tetrachloride. Despite this structural resemblance to $\text{CCl}_4$, $\text{SiCl}_4$ reacts readily and completely with water, undergoing hydrolysis to give silicic acid (silicon's hydroxide analogue) together with hydrochloric acid:\n$\text{SiCl}_4 + 4\text{H}_2\text{O} \longrightarrow \text{Si(OH)}_4 + 4\text{HCl}$\nThis reaction proceeds readily and, in fact, $\text{SiCl}_4$ fumes visibly on exposure to moist air, as atmospheri …

Describe SiCl4's tetrahedral, sp3 structure, then write and balance its hydroly …

Leaving the hydrolysis equation unbalanced (forgetting the 4:4 water/HCl stoichiometry); naming the silicon product incorrectly (it i …