Any of a series of inorganic compounds of silicon and hydrogen with covalent bonds and the general chemical formula Si_math.nH_{(2math.n + 2)}. Silanes are structural analogs of saturated hydrocarbons (see saturation; alkane) but are much less stable. All burn or explode when exposed to air and react readily with halogens or hydrogen halides to form halogenated silanes and with olefins to form alkylsilanes, products used as water repellents and as starting materials for silicones.

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