1824 Berzelius discovers silicon by the reduction of potassium fluorosilicate with potassium: 4K + K2SiF6 → Si + 6KF. Reacting silicon with chlorine gives a volatile compound later identified as tetrachlorosilane, SiCl4: Si + 2Cl2 → SiCl4.
1863 Friedel and Craft synthesize the first silicon organic compound, tetraethylsilane: 2Zn(C2H5)2 + SiCl4 → Si(C2H5)4 + 2ZnCl2.
1871 Ladenburg observes that diethyldiethoxysilane, (C2H5)2Si(OC2H5)2, in the presence of a diluted acid gives an oil that decomposes only at a “very high temperature.”
1901–1930s Kipping lays the foundation of organosilicon chemistry with the preparation of various silanes by means of Grignard reactions and the hydrolysis of chlorosilanes to yield “large molecules.” The polymeric nature of the silicones is confirmed by the work of Stock.
1940s In the 1940s, silicones become commercial materials after Hyde of DowCorning demonstrates the thermal stability and high electrical resistance of silicone resins, and Rochow of General Electric finds a direct method to prepare silicones from silicon and methylchloride