Triethoxymethylsilane: A Versatile Organosilane for Synthesis and Surface Modification
Triethoxymethylsilane (TEMS) is an organosilane with the chemical formula CH3Si(OC2H5)3 and the CAS number 2031-67-6. It is a clear, colorless liquid with a boiling point of 141-143 °C and a density of 0.895 g/mL at 25 °C. It has a low vapor pressure of 11 mmHg at 20 °C and a refractive index of 1.383 at 20 °C.
TEMS is widely used as a reagent for organic synthesis, especially for the introduction of methyl and silyl groups. It can also act as a reducing agent, a dehydrating agent, a silylating agent, and a cross-linking agent. Some of the reactions that TEMS can participate in are:
– Reduction of carbonyl compounds, such as aldehydes and ketones, to alcohols.
– Reduction of nitro compounds to amines.
– Dehydration of alcohols to alkenes.
– Silylation of alcohols, phenols, carboxylic acids, and amines to form silyl ethers and silyl amides.
– Cross-linking of polymers and resins to improve their mechanical and thermal properties.
TEMS is also used as a precursor for the preparation of various functionalized silanes, such as vinyltriethoxysilane, allyltriethoxysilane, phenyltriethoxysilane, and chlorotriethoxysilane. These silanes can be further modified to obtain different organic and inorganic compounds with diverse applications.
Another important use of TEMS is in the surface modification of various materials, such as metals, ceramics, glass, and polymers. TEMS can form a thin layer of methyltriethoxysilane (MTES) on the surface of these materials by hydrolysis and condensation reactions. This layer can act as a protective coating that enhances the hydrophobicity, corrosion resistance, adhesion, and biocompatibility of the materials . TEMS can also be used to graft other functional groups onto the surface of materials by coupling reactions with other organosilanes.
In summary, TEMS is a versatile organosilane that can be used for various purposes in organic synthesis and surface modification. It is commercially available from several suppliers, such as Pengrun New Materials, in different grades and pack sizes.
