Structure, Chemical Properties, Reaction Tendencies
Since silicon is a nonmetal, it will form a bond with a metal (ionic bond) or with another nonmetal (covalent bond). In a crystal of pure silicon, there is a regular diamond lattice. Every atom in the crystal has four valence electrons. Since the electrons cannot move about, silicon can act as an insulator at low temperatures. (Silicon, with specific impurities, can conduct electricity at low temperatures too). Silicon is fairly inert--it reacts most commonly with halogens and dilute alkalis. Though silicon is unreactive, there is a very common silicon compound--silicon dioxide. Other reactions with silicon will occur only at very hot temperatures. It is not affected/dissolved by acids, with the exception of hydrofluoric (HF) acid. The electron configuration of silicon is 1s22s22p63s23p2.