Silicon tetrachloride, hazards

The Grignard method was the first route used commercially in the production of silicone intermediates. Its great advantage is its extreme flexibility since a wide range of organic groups may be attached to the silicon in this method. Because of the need to use ether or other inflammable solvents considerable production hazards arise. On economic grounds the main drawbacks of the process are the multiplicity of steps and the dependence on silicon tetrachloride, which contains only 16% Si and is thus a rather inefficient source of this element. 

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