Anolia - 26-1-2006 at 15:37
I am trying to figure out what the reduction potential of silicon is, specifically Si+4 seeing as it is the oxidation state of silicon in SiO2. I
can't seem to find it anywhere - in any book I look in there is a dash through the line in the table where it should be. Why hasn't anyone determined
its reduction potential? It is such an abundant element. This is baffling me - any input would be great.
12AX7 - 26-1-2006 at 16:06
Si(4+) doesn't exist in solution, AFAIK. SiF6(2-) might work though. I doubt SiO4(4-) or SiO3(2-) would work. Come to think of it, all of these
species are pretty well equivalent, using a strongly electropositive component, no? And such ions tend not to reduce in H2O solution, don't they?
Best way to electrically reduce it would be like aluminum: from a salt melt. 
Tim