Diphenylsilanediol, Ph₂Si(OH)₂, is a

silanol A silanol is a functional group in silicon chemistry with the connectivity Si–O–H. It is related to the hydroxy functional group (C–O–H) found in all alcohols. Silanols are often invoked as intermediates in organosilicon c ...

. The tetrahedral molecule forms hydrogen-bonded columns in the solid state. It can be prepared by

hydrolysis Hydrolysis (; ) is any chemical reaction in which a molecule of water breaks one or more chemical bonds. The term is used broadly for substitution reaction, substitution, elimination reaction, elimination, and solvation reactions in which water ...

of diphenyldichlorosilane Ph₂SiCl₂. Diphenylsilanediol can act as an

anticonvulsant Anticonvulsants (also known as antiepileptic drugs or recently as antiseizure drugs) are a diverse group of pharmacological agents used in the treatment of epileptic seizures. Anticonvulsants are also increasingly being used in the treatment of b ...

, in a similar way to

phenytoin Phenytoin (PHT), sold under the brand name Dilantin among others, is an anti-seizure medication. It is useful for the prevention of tonic-clonic seizures (also known as grand mal seizures) and focal seizures, but not absence seizures. The intr ...

. Although the compound is stable in normal conditions, the presence of basic impurities can accelerate the condensation of the silanol groups.

References

{{reflist Silanols Organosilicon compounds Phenyl compounds